Aarey Milk Colony’s residents face a severe 15-day water shortage, being forced to use unclean, non-potable water, with authorities offering no clarity
A resident shows an empty open tank that is supposed to fulfil water needs at their community toilets. Pics/Sarthak Mehta
For more than 15 days, a severe water crisis has gripped some units in Aarey Milk Colony. Residents shared with mid-day that the only reliable option at their disposal is unhygienic and non-potable cattle farm water; while drinking needs are being met by fetching water from outside the colony and water tankers. Children have started getting skin rashes from the use of farm water, and senior citizens are forced to trek long distances to carry heavy water pots home.
A resident ventures out of Aarey Milk Colony in an auto to fetch water
Official Speak
A public works department (PWD) official from Aarey Milk Colony said the primary reason for the reduced or disrupted water supply to several units in Aarey Milk Colony is the low pressure in the Tulsi pipeline supplying the area, which has adversely affected distribution.
A father-son duo with cattle farm water
The cause of water shortage
Residents claim that there’s been no clarity from the authorities even after two weeks. Multiple residents stated that “the authorities first said it’s a valve issue, then they said it was a pipe issue, then a water supply issue at Tulsi Lake.” “Whatever may be the reason, how is it that they are unable to solve the issue even after 15 days?” the residents questioned.
An unhygienic drinking water supply tank near New Zealand Hostel with rusted parts due to lack of upkeep
Residents speak
Bhavna Kamble
‘I manage water for my kitchen needs from milk containers filled with water that we request from cattle farms’
Meena, 84
‘I arrange water from cattle farms in the colony on foot, or else I have to go as far as Goregaon Check Naka in an auto to get a basic amount of water’
Kaish Ali Shaikh
‘Many of us, including kids, get skin rashes from using water sourced from nearby cattle farms. Ramadan is ongoing, and we have to prepare iftar, and also break roza using this unhygienic water’
Meena, an 84-year-old resident of Aarey, carries water on her head. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Arrangements for survival
>> Using non-potable water available at nearby cattle farms; farms receive this water via a separate pipeline from Powai
>> Sourcing from helpful individuals residing in areas outside their colony that have active BMC connections, like Goregaon Check Naka
>> Water tankers, but occasionally, because of higher cost and lesser availability
A PWD official
‘We have already informed the BMC P South ward that several units are still not receiving water, despite repairs to leakages and other issues in the supply line being fixed a few days ago by the BMC’
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