80% Mumbaikars don't get water directly from tap: Study

At a time when the city is reeling under acute water crisis, nearly 80% of households do not get water directly from taps, a study conducted by city-based NGO have revealed.

A city-wide rapid assessment of the water crisis was undertaken by NGO Yuva covering 109 communities of which 94 are notified and 15 were non-notified.

"The study reveals that only 20% households had direct tap connection which meant 80 per cent do not receive water directly from taps," Yuva's project coordinator Sitaram Shelar said.

It has been found that 64% respondents get water from shared taps and 14% beg it from neighbourhood, Shelar said.

"It is BMC's responsibility to supply water equally to all. Only rich people should not get water even labourers and domestic workers play an equal role in building the city," Mrinal Gore, a senior social activist said.

According to the study, 55.6% respondents are supplied water by the Municipal Corporation and 29% procure water from private tankers, hand pumps and wells. Only 20% of them have in-house connections remaining 80% access water from outside the home.

About the quality of water, the study says, 43% respondents said the water they get is contaminated and turbid while 24% said water is turbid for five-ten minutes and 33% reported clean water.

"We demand that the civic body must ensure quality water supply to every individual, equal and adequate access and availability of water for all without any discrimination on the ground of notified or non-notified community," Shelar said.

City's population of over 1.25 crore receives 2,900 MLD of water against the demand of 4,300 MLD. Presently, there is 15 and 30 per cent water for residential and commercial users respectively. Due to scanty rainfall and depleting water levels in city's lakes, MCGM has imposed water cuts since June 8.