20% Reduction in Water Supply for Industrial and Commercial Establishments
Additional Measures Introduced to Protect Drinking Water Resources
In view of the delayed monsoon caused by El Niño conditions and the rapidly declining water levels in the reservoirs supplying Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a series of stringent measures to conserve water and safeguard the city’s drinking water supply.
A 10% water cut has already been in effect across Mumbai since May 15, 2026. To further ensure the availability of drinking water, the BMC will implement additional restrictions on non-essential water usage from June 17, 2026.
Under the new measures, all water connections provided for ongoing construction projects will be temporarily disconnected, and no new construction water connections will be approved until further notice. Water supply to swimming pools will also be suspended. In addition, industrial, commercial, and sports club establishments will face a 20% reduction in water supply.
The BMC has warned that these restrictions will be enforced strictly, and legal action will be taken against anyone found misusing or wasting drinking water.
The measures follow directives issued by the Water Resources Department of the Government of Maharashtra. Accordingly, the BMC’s Hydraulic Engineer Department has released a detailed circular outlining the water conservation steps to be followed during this period.
Mumbai currently requires approximately 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), while the city receives an average supply of about 4,100 MLD. As of June 16, 2026, only 10.35% of the total available water stock remains in the reservoirs supplying the city. With monsoon rains yet to arrive, ensuring the sustainability of the remaining water reserves has become a significant challenge for civic authorities.
The restrictions effective June 17 include:
- Temporary disconnection of all construction-related water connections.
- Suspension of approvals for new construction water connections.
- Temporary disconnection of water supply to swimming pools.
- Suspension of requests for additional or enhanced water connections until reservoir levels improve.
- A 20% reduction in water supply to industrial, commercial, and sports club establishments.
- Restriction of water supply to aerated beverage and packaged drinking water plants to meet only the essential drinking water needs of their employees.
The BMC has also directed public toilet operators and institutions to maximize the use of tanker water, borewell water, and other alternative sources wherever possible. For activities such as vehicle washing, garden irrigation, and road cleaning, only borewell or well water should be used instead of treated drinking water.
Major organizations, including Central Railway, Western Railway, RCF, HPCL, BPCL, the Indian Navy, MIDC, and BPT, have been instructed to utilize treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs), including the Colaba STP, for operational and non-potable purposes.
The Municipal Corporation has appealed to citizens, businesses, and institutions to cooperate in conserving water during this critical period. Officials have reiterated that strict action will be taken against any individual or organization found wasting or misusing water supplied by the BMC.
