Speak up Mumbai: Need water conservation in order to prevent cuts

Due to the prevailing low levels of storage water, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a 10 per cent water cut across the city with immediate effect on November 14. Despite drawing water from several lakes and dams with a collective storage capacity of 14.50 lakh million litre, the water level this year reached only up to 91 per cent by the end of September. With the regular monsoon, lakes are filled up to 100 per cent by October 1, which ensures uninterrupted water supply till July next year.

But this year, water level dipped to 76 per cent within the next one and a half months from October 1. The city, meanwhile, has 92 per cent of water stock since last November. Considering the same, the civic body decided to impose the water cut.

The water cut is meant for both, residential and industrial areas. The BMC has decided to take a monthly stock of the situation and take decisions regarding water cuts in future. Since the source of potable water is limited, DNA spoke to residents and experts about how to conserve water in order to ensure that the available stock can meet demands till next monsoon.

VOICES

A lot of water is wasted in activities like brushing teeth and even taking showers as  before we even realise we end up using hundred of litres. I save water by not taking bath under shower instead using one bucket and even encourage my friends to take up one bucket challenge, Also a lot of water can be saved by ensuring there are no water leakages in the house. 
— Dipesh Tank, Malad resident

“I don’t think 10 per cent water cut is something that bothers us. This because irrespective of the water cut my society gets water supply for 24 hours.  However, 10 per cent water cut is something that takes place every year in the city I assume or I have at least heard of 5 per cent water cut. But I don’t think it matters much to me or our society by forcing us to preserve water.” 
— Raveena Desai, Grant Road resident

Water can be preserved in a number of ways. In our home and area, some people have already started doing that. One should look at the leaking pipes and loose taps and get them repaired so that water is not wasted through them. The other ways of reducing wastage of water is using wet cloth to clean cars instead of washing them with lots of water, altering size of tank used for flushing in toilet when one goes to urinate. Also one can look to bathing by using mug instead of shower bath. That too saves water.” 
— Dr. Vijay Sangole, Chembur resident

“No matter how much we try saving water it gets over in household work daily. Still some water we manage to save because of big water storage tank that we have. But not all people might be able to do the same, especially poor people. Instead of making water shortage for residents, the government authorities should cut it for garage like places where lot of water is wasted for washing cars.” 
— Pradnya Gaikwad, Sion resident

Water preservation is very essential weather there is water cut or not. Avoid using shower while bathing and tap should not be kept opened unnecessarily. This includes for brushing, shaving or other works. Washing of car should be done with minimum amount of water also car should be washed one in two days. We can reuse water and ensure that there should not be leakage. 
— Anmol Singh, Andheri East

No Water No life. So, we can conserve water by adopting a policy of Recycle & Reuse. Use of a bucket for a bath instead of a shower is the first step. We should turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, cleansing face. Even we should invest in the touchless faucet. We should also take care of leakages immediately. We can use bio-degradable products including soap, shampoo, laundry detergent & household cleaners so as the same water can be reused to flush toilets & watering the plants. We can water plants in the early morning so that less water is used as water soaks into the soil. 
— Rajani Nair, Kalyan resident

We can use water more judiciously as there is water cut and we will get less water. I plan all works related to water in the morning from cleaning clothes to vehicles. We should not throw water after cleaning clothes as the same can be used to clean houses and car or motorbikes. Even, this can be used to water plants. If we take small steps, we can save at least to meet daily requirements. 
— Sushila Tiwari, Kanjurmarg resident

The water timing in my building has not yet affected much even after water cut. But we are trying to preserve the water by not wasting it for external use. Rather than washing the outdoor corridor, vehicles daily, we have now attempted to wash it every alternate day or once in three days. We have also started storing water. 
— Jayshree Nagvekar, Andheri resident

EXPERT SPEAK

The BMC as well as residents can conserve water by fixing leakages. There is around 30% water gets wasted in Mumbai from BMC as well as residents end. This is everyone responsibility to prevent water loss. People often forget to close water tap and this leads to wastage. Similarly, water pipeline burst several times in a year. The BMC fixes all leakages and save 30% waste, it can supply 20% more instead of any cut. 
— Aabidi Surti, Drop Dead Foundation

There is a need for long term planning to tide over recurring problem of water in the city. We are too much depended on water resources that is 100 km away from the city. It is also not good that we wake up after the problem emerges. If all leakages are fixed, we can save around 30% water that is sufficient to meet the present requirement. Rain water harvesting is not implemented properly in the city. Even residents at their own level can save water by taking a number of measures like avoiding use of RO system and fixing leakage in pipeline at their homes. 
— Jyoti Palekar, Sustainability Consultant