Navi Mumbai [India], September 18: Navi Mumbai’s water supply system is once again under close watch as the water level in Morbe Dam, the city’s primary water source, remains below last year’s level. With rainfall weakening during September, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has started preparations to conserve water and has formed special teams to monitor water consumption at construction sites and swimming pools.
According to a report by Loksatta, Morbe Dam currently has around 91 per cent total water storage, while the usable water stock stands at about 75 per cent. At the same time last year, the dam had reached 100 per cent storage, with around 84 per cent usable water available. The lower usable stock this year has prompted the civic administration to keep a close watch on consumption.
Navi Mumbai received good rainfall in July, but rainfall weakened considerably in August and September has so far not brought enough rain to fully replenish Morbe Dam. The situation has become a concern because the city’s daily water demand continues even as the reservoir’s usable stock gradually declines.
The NMMC had earlier introduced water-cut measures, including stopping the water supply during certain evening hours on two days of the week. Those restrictions were subsequently withdrawn from Gokulashtami amid the festival season. However, with rainfall remaining uncertain and water consumption increasing after the restrictions were lifted, the civic administration has begun preparations for the possibility of further conservation measures.
One of the immediate areas being monitored is the construction sector. NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has directed officials to ensure that potable municipal water is not used for construction activities. Construction workers and other personnel at project sites can receive drinking water through authorised connections, but those connections can be disconnected if the water is found to be diverted for construction or other non-drinking purposes.
Special teams have also been formed to monitor water usage at construction projects across Navi Mumbai. The objective is to prevent the misuse of treated drinking water at a time when the city is trying to preserve its available reservoir stock.
Swimming pools are another focus of the civic administration. NMMC has instructed swimming pool operators to increase the reuse and recycling of water wherever possible. The move is intended to reduce fresh-water consumption without necessarily disrupting the operation of facilities.
The administration is also keeping the future water-supply schedule under review. According to senior officials cited by Loksatta, a detailed assessment of Morbe Dam’s water storage is scheduled for November 30. Based on the reservoir position at that time, a new water-supply schedule could be announced from December 1. However, if the city does not receive sufficient rainfall over the next few weeks and the reservoir level falls faster than expected, the assessment could be brought forward.
The current situation is different from the severe water shortage seen earlier in the year. In May, NMMC officials had warned that Morbe Dam had only around 85 days of water available and appealed to residents to use water carefully. By June, the reservoir’s storage had fallen to a critical level, prompting the civic body to introduce stricter conservation measures, including restrictions on potable water use for activities such as car washing and swimming pools.
The monsoon subsequently improved the reservoir position, preventing the situation from developing into the immediate crisis seen earlier in the year. However, the latest figures show that the usable stock remains lower than the corresponding period last year. A separate water-level update based on Maharashtra Water Resources Department and NMMC data put Morbe’s total storage at about 86.17 per cent on September 17, illustrating that reported percentages can vary depending on the measurement and whether total or usable storage is being considered.
For residents, the immediate focus is therefore on avoiding unnecessary water wastage. The NMMC’s monitoring drive is expected to cover construction projects, swimming pools and other locations where large quantities of municipal water could be consumed.
Whether Navi Mumbai will actually face another round of water cuts will depend largely on rainfall and the rate at which water is consumed in the coming weeks. The civic administration’s November 30 assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the reservoir’s position and the city’s water-supply requirements for the following months.
For now, the NMMC is relying on tighter monitoring, water reuse and restrictions on non-essential use of potable water to protect the available stock in Morbe Dam. If rainfall remains below expectations, additional conservation measures could be considered before the end of November.
