Mumbai, 17 June (HS): In an effort to protect Mumbai's

drinking water reserves, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed

broad restrictions on non-essential water use, including a ban on water supply

for construction activities and swimming pools. The city will implement water

restrictions starting June 17 due to worries about El Niño's effects on monsoon

rains. Mumbai has already been subjected to a 10% water restriction since May

15, but with water levels in the seven lakes that feed the city down to only

10.35% of their useable capacity as of June 16, officials have opted to tighten

conservation measures even more.

No Water For Construction or Swimming Pools: Under the new

limitations, all water connections given for active construction projects will

be temporarily severed, and permissions for new construction-related water

connections will be halted until further notice.

The water supply to swimming pools around the city will also be temporarily

interrupted. In addition, the BMC has imposed a 20% water reduction on

industrial, commercial, and sporting club operations. Water supply to aerated

beverage and packaged drinking water bottling operations will be limited to

fulfill workers' minimum drinking needs. The local authority warned that people

or companies found squandering or abusing drinking water would face severe

penalties.

Why Did BMC Take This Step? The action follows directives

given by the Maharashtra government's Water Resources Department in response to

worries over delayed monsoon rains and dwindling reservoir levels. Mumbai now

requires around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), with existing

sources providing an average of 4,100 MLD daily. With monsoon rains still not replenishing reservoirs enough,

city officials have a big problem in prolonging available water supplies for as

long as feasible.

Conservation Measures Announced: The BMC urged groups that

manage public toilets and bathrooms to make the best use of tanker water,

borewell water, and other alternate sources wherever possible. Borewell or well

water, rather than cleaned drinking water, should be used to wash automobiles,

water gardens, and clean roads or buildings.

Several significant organizations, including Central

Railway, Western Railway, the Indian Navy, HPCL, BPCL, RCF, MIDC, and the

Mumbai Port Authority, have been requested to boost the use of treated

wastewater from sewage treatment facilities for both operational and secondary

uses.

BMC's Call to Citizens: The local administration has urged citizens and

businesses to join in water conservation measures until reservoir levels

increase. Officials have warned that anyone caught abusing BMC-supplied

drinking water will face legal consequences. The limitations are anticipated to

last until enough rain replenishes Mumbai's reservoirs and water supply

increases.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi