Mumbai water crisis: 34% of supply is wasted due to theft and leakage, reveals BMC

While many parts of the city face water shortage, especially during summers, a surprising discovery by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) hydraulic department shows that around 34% of the city's daily water supply – around 1,343 million liters out of the total 3,950 million liters – is being met – lost due to theft, leakage and looting.

According to BMC's hydraulic department, the city's water supply comes from seven lakes, two of which – Tulsi and Vihar – are in Mumbai, while the remaining five are in neighboring Palghar, Thane and Nashik districts, at a distance of about 100 km up to 175 km. The water from these lakes is transported through an extensive 5,000 km pipeline network that spans the city.

With Mumbai's daily water requirement reaching 4,463 million liters, the current deficit stands at nearly 500 million liters per day (MLD). This deficit, coupled with significant water loss, is exacerbating the city's ongoing water supply crisis, despite reservoirs having adequate supplies.

Citizen representatives emphasize the challenges of maintaining water supply infrastructure. “The water pipes run through forested and remote areas on the outskirts of Mumbai, with many sections buried underground. Securing and maintaining them is crucial to prevent leaks and theft,” said an official. The pipelines are also vulnerable to damage from soil, mud, weather, waste and chemicals, leading to corrosion and increased leak rates.

To make matters worse, the Hydraulic Engineering Department is facing a staffing crisis, with a 38% shortage of technical staff. This shortage is hampering efforts to repair leaks and effectively address the water supply crisis. In addition, some engineers were given elective duties, further delaying important leak detection work.

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