Mumbai’s 10 per cent water cut will continue as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation urges residents, housing societies, businesses and public institutions to conserve drinking water amid concerns over water levels in the seven lakes supplying the city.
The civic body said below-average rainfall in 2026, influenced by climate factors including El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole, has affected the city’s available water stock. Mumbai and its suburbs require around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), while the average supply from available sources is approximately 4,100 MLD, according to the BMC.
The water cut was implemented from May 15, 2026, following directions from the Maharashtra government’s Water Resources Department. The reduction remains in force while the civic administration works to preserve reservoir stock and manage drinking-water requirements.
The BMC said it is planning water availability up to August 31, 2027, in line with directions from the state government and its assessment of future drinking-water needs. The civic body has appealed to residents to use water judiciously, avoid wastage and adopt conservation measures so that the available stock lasts longer.
Under the guidelines issued by the BMC, residents and organisations have been asked not to leave taps running unnecessarily and to repair leaking taps and water pipelines promptly. The civic body has also advised that drinking water should not be used to fill swimming pools.
Construction activities that do not require potable water should use treated water from sewage treatment plants or borewell water, the BMC said. Wells, tubewells and borewells should also be used, where available, for vehicle washing, gardening and cleaning roads and surrounding areas. Treated sewage water or borewell water has been recommended for road washing instead of drinking water.
Organisations managing public toilets and washrooms have been asked to use alternative water sources wherever possible. The existing 20 per cent reduction in water supply to industrial and commercial establishments and sports clubs will also continue, according to the civic administration.
The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineer Department has formed special teams to prevent water losses caused by leakage. These teams have been directed to prioritise leak prevention and address reported cases within stipulated timelines. The move places leakage control alongside restrictions on consumption as part of the city’s response to the reduced supply position.
The civic body has warned that appropriate action will be taken against individuals or organisations found misusing water supplied by the BMC. It has asked housing societies, educational institutions, commercial establishments and other organisations to prioritise conservation and maximise the use of alternative sources for non-essential activities.
The continuing cut highlights the gap between Mumbai’s stated daily requirement and the average volume currently supplied from its available sources. For residents, the immediate measures involve reducing avoidable consumption, while the BMC’s next steps include continued leakage response and planning for water availability through August 31, 2027.
