Ticking tinderbox of depleting water levels in Mumbai

Lakes that supply water to Mumbai are drying. There is hardly 25 per cent water available in them. Although the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shows no sign of urgency, experts are pointing towards a grim situation.

Tensions on upward spiral as water levels continue to dip

Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shows no sign of urgency regarding the water scarcity prevalent in the city the numbers tell a different tale. The city water stock now lingering at less than 24 per cent was 38 per cent last year during the same time. As a result the water lasted all of the summers and no water cut was instituted in the city. However, following the poor monsoon a 10 per cent water cut was introduced in November itself. Despite precautionary measures, the water levels gradually decreased and were never able to meet the gaps as compared to the last year's water stock during summer.

A BMC official informs that the civic body can use water from the reserved stocks if required. However, in the last few years (2014, 2015) despite a huge gap between demand and supply, the city civic body has never used reserve water stock. Instead, the BMC has always announced 20 to 30 per cent water cut. But due to ongoing elections, no ruling party is willing to compromise and take a firm stand on water conservation.

"The civic body has implemented an unofficial water cut across the city apart from the 10 per cent official water cut due to the ruling parties political gimmicks," said Ravi Raja, leader of opposition in the BMC. "The situation is out of hand and Mumbaikars may face more issues once the election gets over," he added.

All in all, water cuts seem to be the default solution for the civic body. Instead, they should emphasise on long time solutions like the construction of dams on time. Ruling parties have failed to clear Gargai- Pinjal dam project in the last few years. Even leakages are a major worry as around 25 per cent of the water is wasted in the leakages," alleged Rais Shaikh, group leader of the Samajwadi Party in the BMC.

(7 lakes and dams supply water to the city. Vihar and Tulsi lakes are in the city, while Tansa, Modak Sagar, Middle Vaitarna, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa are in Palghar)

Also Read: There needs be a water audit of every building: Madhukar Kamble

Big plans, long wait and a thirsty public

Almost 10 years after the announcement, the BMC has taken some firm steps towards the big project of construction of Gargai dam. The dam is an important link to quench the thirst of the ever expanding city. The other project of Pinjal and Damanganga dams are also in a planning stage. The caveat in this is that even if all goes well, the city has to wait for another 30-years to procure benefits of the new dams being built over rivers in Palghar and Nashik districts.

Currently, seven lakes and dams supply water to the city. Vihar and Tulsi lakes are in the city, while other lakes like Tansa, Modak Sagar, Middle Vaitarna, Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa are in Palghar. Thane and Nashik are located at a distance of about 100 to 175 km from the city. The water storage capacity of all the lakes is 14.50 lakhs million litres and they together provide 3800 million litre water every day. As per census in 2011, Mumbai has a population of 12.4 million. As per the population growth trend, the projected population in 2041 is anticipated at 17.24 million. It is almost 40 per cent more than 2011 and water demand will rise up to 5940 MLD from 3800 MLD.

BMC is also thinking to surrender some part of daily water supply from Bhatsa to the state government. In that case, the shortfall in demand and supply will be 2520 MLD by 2041.

An officer from the BMC said, "To fill the gap in demand and supply the BMC has been working on three dam projects from the last 10 years. As per the BMC's projection, the Gargai dam (440 MLD), Pinjal dam (865 MLD) and Damanganga- Pinjal River link project (1586 MLD) will complete till 2050. On completion these three project increase water storage capacity by 2891 MLD."

The primary work of Gargai, which will be on Vaitarna river in Palghar, has already started and the civic body has submitted various study reports of the dam to different bodies for permission. The proposed site of Gargai dam falls under earthquake seismic zone 3 on the scale of 1 to 5, which indicates a moderate risk of an earthquake. It is compulsory to conduct a study if the construction site fells under an earthquake zone. In March 2019, the civic body appointed Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) to conduct earthquake studies and WAPCOS LTD to conduct flood related studies under guidance from Central Design Organisation, Nashik. The BMC also made a provision of Rs. 122 crore for the project in the 2019-20 budget.

BMC requires clearance from the departments of forest, wildlife, environment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) for the construction, rehabilitation and the re-settlement of the affected villagers. The estimated cost for the Gargai project is said to be around Rs. 2000 crore and for the Daman Ganga, the estimate is around Rs. 3000 crores. DPR for the Pinjal dam project is not yet conducted. Though the Gargai project's preliminary work has been started, other dam projects are behind the schedule. The Pinjal Project is with the state Government and Damanganga Pinjal River Link Project is to be signed between Gujarat and Maharashtra which is in dispute.

Clearly, despite some ambitious future planning the immediate respite from these projects is minimal to fulfil the water needs of the city.

Residents take first step, BMC should take second

At a time when many parts of city are facing acute water shortage, using water judiciously is only way to tide over the problem. A section of resident associations have already adopted ways to tide over the crisis. Solutions are as basic as using buckets instead of shower to bathe in a bid to save water.

Mohini Thakare, a resident of Pestom Sagar Citizens' Forum (PSCF) in Chembur said that they got scared after reading news of water level in lakes that has come down to only 27 percent of its total capacity. "Though we are getting sufficient water in our locality, we are adopting a number measures to save this natural resource. We are not using shower anymore, and in fact asked watchman to use minimum water to clean cars," said Thakare.

DNA had carried out a campaign soon after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced water cuts last year. In the campaign, Madhukar Kambble, a former hydraulic engineer with BMC interacted with residents and suggested ways to save water. Now, the campaign has started showing results.

Manali Kamat, resident of Nirmal Building in Dadar said that they are following suggestions shared by Kamble and they have seen substantial results in water conservation.

But, there are areas where residents are getting hardly 15 to 20 minutes water supply in a day, and most of their time goes in managing water for the day. In Bandra East, residents are having a harrowing time. Prabha Pandey, a resident of Nirmal Nagar in Bandra east says that they get water supply in morning around 9am and they have little time to fill all the buckets," adding that they clean floors with used water as they have no option but to curtail use of water. She complaints that there is no clarity from the administration. "If there is low level in lakes what has stopped BMC from putting banners across the city and railway stations to ask them to save water.

Despite such residents interventions, leakage and open taps is a worry. Abhitash Singh, a resident of Bhandup said that they are getting half of the water of normal supply. "Since January, we are getting less water and there are days when there is no water supply," said Singh. However, he added that many water taps remain open in Village road in Bhandup and precious water gets wasted everyday. "There should be awareness to educate people to save water as this is the only option left," said Singh.