Mumbai’s civic authorities have urged residents in key parts of Kurla and neighbouring areas to boil and filter tap water before use for at least four days starting Monday, July 23, citing planned maintenance and structural repairs at the Powai reservoir. This precautionary advisory follows a major operational shift in the city’s water distribution system that could momentarily affect the quality and consistency of supply.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that ongoing infrastructure upgrades at the Powai reservoir have reached a crucial transition stage. With structural work completed on Compartment No. 2, the BMC is now shifting the water supply to this newly refurbished section while preparing to commence repairs on Compartment No. 1. The reservoir is one of Mumbai’s critical water supply sources, and this switchover is essential for ensuring long-term integrity and performance.
While there is no confirmed contamination, the BMC’s public advisory is a preventive measure designed to safeguard public health during the transitional phase. Past precedents have shown that abrupt changes in water routing and pressure levels can sometimes result in temporary sediment disturbances or fluctuations in water clarity.The advisory will apply to several areas in the L ward—primarily parts of Kurla—including Saki Vihar, 90 Feet Road, Satyanagar, Jarimari, and Mahatma Phule Nagar. In the southern section of Kurla, areas such as Kajupada, Shastri Nagar, Kranti Nagar, and LBS Marg have also been notified. Residents of S ward, including Morarji Nagar, Paspoli Village, and Lok Vihar Colony, are similarly advised to exercise caution.
Officials from the city’s water engineering department emphasised that despite robust monitoring and quality checks, this advisory is in line with global best practices for urban utilities when large-scale maintenance is underway. The advice to boil and filter water aligns with WHO guidelines for emergency and transitional water quality assurance.Residents have been asked to be especially vigilant while using water for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Local health centres have also been placed on alert to track any uptick in waterborne ailments as a further precaution.
The BMC has reiterated its commitment to modernising Mumbai’s water supply infrastructure with sustainability at its core. These upgrades are part of broader resilience efforts aimed at ensuring uninterrupted, clean water in the face of rising urban demand and climate-related stressors on civic utilities.
For a city of Mumbai’s scale and complexity, such maintenance cycles are both inevitable and critical. While they do bring short-term inconvenience, the long-term benefits of a safer, more efficient water grid are substantial. The civic body’s transparent communication around the switchover also marks a shift toward more proactive urban management—an essential component in building inclusive, health-secure, and eco-resilient cities.
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