The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to install smart water meters across the city’s western suburbs—from Goregaon to Dahisar—in a move aimed at tackling persistent supply issues, pressure fluctuations, and leakages. The initiative, which marks a step towards data-driven water management, seeks to ensure fair and reliable distribution in some of Mumbai’s most densely populated residential zones.
Despite adequate storage across the city’s seven lakes, suburbs like Dahisar, Magathane, Malad (West), and Kandivali have faced recurring low-pressure supply for months. These neighbourhoods, located along the Western Express Highway, have seen growing complaints from residents despite the BMC’s daily supply of 4,000 million litres of water. Officials acknowledged that nearly 34 per cent of this water—around 1,400 million litres—is lost every day due to theft, leakages, and ageing infrastructure. The installation of smart meters, capable of real-time pressure monitoring, is expected to help the civic body pinpoint problem zones, detect leaks early, and track equitable distribution across zones.
A senior official from the civic water department said the meters would provide valuable pressure readings, helping engineers manage variations more efficiently. “By introducing zonal pressure monitoring, we can address imbalances and identify contaminated or under-supplied areas faster than before,” the official explained. The move follows a recent review meeting chaired by a Union Minister, who observed that several northern suburbs are currently receiving only 40–45 pressure levels, compared to the ideal 60–65. The official urged the BMC to map all affected zones and expedite repairs to curb contamination risks and pipeline losses.
Civic representatives from Borivali and Dahisar have long argued that water allocation has not kept pace with population shifts towards the suburbs. They stressed the need for the BMC to revise supply frameworks that still prioritise the island city, despite growing suburban demand. The initiative also aligns with Mumbai’s broader goal of building more resilient, equitable, and sustainable civic systems. Experts note that efficient water metering can reduce losses, strengthen accountability, and encourage conservation—key pillars of a climate-resilient urban infrastructure.
Once fully operational, the new monitoring system is expected to create a real-time feedback loop between consumers and the BMC, minimising guesswork and delays. The project represents a major shift from reactive to preventive water management, reflecting Mumbai’s ongoing effort to modernise essential public utilities while addressing urban inequity and environmental stress.
Also Read: India To Add 300 Km Sustainable Metro And Regional Rail Lines By 2026
