Mumbai's BMC To Install Water Meters To Improve Water Supply In Western Suburbs

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to install water meters in the western suburbs of Mumbai, from Goregaon to Dahisar. This initiative aims to address water supply issues by monitoring pressure and detecting leaks. The meters will help ensure fair distribution and quickly identify problems like contamination and pressure variations.

Despite adequate water stock in the city's seven lakes, many areas in the western suburbs face shortages. Over the past four months, regions like Magathane (West), Dahisar, Kandivali (West), and Marve in Malad (West) have reported low-pressure water supply. These areas are near the Western Express Highway and have been experiencing persistent issues.

Pressure Monitoring for Equitable Distribution

Union Minister Piyush Goyal recently reviewed the water shortage situation in North Mumbai. He noted that areas such as Magathane, Dahisar, and Kandivali receive only 40–45 pressure levels instead of the ideal 60–65. Goyal suggested installing zonal pressure meters to monitor and manage these discrepancies effectively.

Goyal emphasized that addressing contaminated water and pipeline leaks should be a priority. He instructed officials to map all affected areas and implement corrective measures immediately. While increasing supply will take time, these steps aim to improve current conditions.

Local Leaders Demand Fair Water Supply

Sanjay Upadhyay, Borivali's MLA, highlighted that despite population shifts from the island city to suburbs, western suburbs still suffer from inadequate water supply. "While a significant portion of the island city's population has migrated to the suburbs, the western suburbs still receive inadequate water supply," he stated.

The BMC currently supplies 4,000 million litres of water daily across Mumbai and its suburbs. However, approximately 34% of this amount—1,400 million litres—is lost due to theft and leakages each day. Civic authorities are under pressure to resolve these inefficiencies promptly.

A senior civic official assured that they are reviewing affected areas and will soon address these issues. The installation of water meters is expected to play a crucial role in managing supply more effectively by identifying problem spots quickly.

This initiative reflects a broader effort by local authorities to ensure residents receive an adequate and clean water supply while minimizing losses due to infrastructure challenges.