The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed setting up four borewells across Mumbai as part of a pilot project to harvest rainwater and recharge the city’s groundwater table.
The initiative will also enable the distribution of recycled water for non-potable public use. The Environment and Climate Change Department of the BMC will execute the pilot, with borewells planned at Baptista Road Market, Cresto Mukund House, BEST Depot, and the Fire Brigade premises on SV Road. The project, estimated at ₹28.3 lakh, will be completed in three months. Tenders for the work have already been floated. Civic officials said the increasing concretisation of roads has reduced the city’s natural ability to absorb rainwater, as surface runoff now drains away rapidly. The borewells, each two to three metres deep, will act as rainwater catchment pits fitted with pipelines and natural slopes. These structures will collect and filter water using layers of sand, pebbles, and gravel before allowing it to percolate naturally into the ground. Prior to excavation, contractors are required to conduct soil testing through certified geologists to ensure structural feasibility and effectiveness. Regular maintenance will prevent sediment accumulation and pore clogging in the recharge pits.
The initiative comes amid rising concerns over Mumbai’s water security. The city faces a daily water shortfall of approximately 400 million litres, which is met primarily through private water tankers. A recent flash strike by the Mumbai Water Tankers Association disrupted supply, following the Centre’s revised groundwater extraction rules, which limit each tanker to a single borewell source. Currently, Mumbai relies on seven lakes—Tansa, Bhatsa, Tulsi, Vihar, Modak Sagar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna—for its potable water needs. These sources together supply 3,850 million litres per day against a demand of 4,200 MLD. Civic officials noted that operationalisation of civic-run borewells could significantly ease dependency on private water sources. In parallel, the BMC and the Central Ground Water Authority are conducting a survey to assess Mumbai’s current water table levels.
While rainwater harvesting has been mandatory for new residential buildings since 2002, compliance remains inconsistent. The pilot borewell project marks a renewed push towards holistic implementation of sustainable water practices in Mumbai.
