MUMBAI: Water stocks in the seven lakes that cater to the city’s needs have touched nearly 80% of the required quantum. The biggest lake, which supplies almost half the potable water consumed by the city, has 75% stocks in it.
Currently, the total water stock in the lakes is 11.6 lakh million litres. With the BMC supplying 3,750 million litres of water to the city daily, the current stocks should last for approximately 300 days.
Till the end of monsoon, the lakes are required to have 14.5 lakh million litres to ensure the city has adequate supply for the year. The water situation in the lakes as on date is much better than it was at this time last year when the water stocks stood at six lakh million litres or 41% of the required stocks. Civic officials have already ruled out the possibility of a water cut this year.
However, despite sufficient stocks in the lakes, locals in areas like Juhu Koliwada have been complaining of water shortage. Residents said ever since the 15% water cut was enforced for a day on August 3 owing to repair works, water supply has been erratic. On raising complaints with the BMC, they were informed that since they are at the end of the supply network, they have been affected. “We have gone without adequate water supply for two days in a row. We had to get a civic team to check the supply problem. Despite digging underground to check the valves, the problem couldn’t be fixed,” said Larson Fernandes, a resident.
Residents in some parts of Kalina are also peeved at the irregular water supply. Many locals said they wake up at 4 am, which is their supply hour as per the BMC, only to find the taps either running dry or a very short duration of supply. They said morchas taken to the BMC have not yielded any result either. Crompton Texeira, a Kalina resident, said they have made several representations to the authorities about the acute water shortage in Kalina, Koliveri and Jamplipada, but the civic body has been unable to find the cause of the fault. “The supply starts at 4.15 am, but stops after 15 minutes. We are forced to get water via tankers,” said Texeira, adding they even met opposition party leader in the BMC, Ravi Raja, to seek a solution. Raja said he had spoken to the hydraulic department, asking them to resolve the snag at the earliest.
