Low-lying areas to get more water

Even though the city is gearing up for the sustained water cuts in the post-monsoon scenario for the first time ever, the families living in low lying areas might just be a little better off.

Residents staying in these areas will be able to draw more water than those located on a higher ground owing to the nature of the water distribution network in the city.

Divided into 113 zones, the city’s mixed residential profile means that the water is tapped at different levels even in a single distribution zone. As water taps spew less water, connections in residential colonies located on a lower level will be able to draw more water than those located at an elevation in a distribution zone, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hydraulic department official said.

Similarly, apartments located on the ground floor in residential colonies not provided with a suction tank will be in a better position than those located on higher floors. The disparity will exist even if the same water pipeline supplies water to these areas.

The areas located closer to the network (at a lower height) are able to draw water before it reaches those located at the fag-end of the network (the elevated areas). This allows them to draw more water. Feelers being sent by higher ups in the civic administration indicate that the BMC is hesitant to impose the cuts before the elections.