Water reservoirs in city need a fresh lease of life

City’s water reservoirs have contracted ‘cancer’. A high rate of sedimentation, also commonly known as siltation, is reducing the water storage capacity of the reservoirs that bring water to the city.

Commonly referred to as cancer of the reservoirs/ dams, increased sedimentation also increases the chances of flooding in catchment belts. 

Mumbai gets water from six reservoirs, all of which are located in remote areas on the city’s outskirts. Hydraulic department officials attributed the high rate of siltation to increased deforestation. The department is concerned about the attrition rate observed at two of the biggest reservoirs — Modaksagar and Tansa — which collectively fulfil close to 50% (1,600 million litres) of the city’s water requirement.

To know the precise rate of damage, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commissioned a survey, which will be carried out by state-run Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Nashik.

Pramod Charankar, deputy municipal commissioner, special engineering, BMC, said, “The survey will include mapping the level of siltation and the water storage capacity.  In areas where sedimentation is more, measures to reverse the trend will be undertaken.” This will cost Rs15.42 lakh and will be completed in six months.