Decision on water cut only after review meeting in October first week

“Each year, we meet after the conclusion of monsoon season to review the lake levels. If the lake level is less than 100 per cent of the capacity, the BMC plans a strategy to ensure that the water lasts until next year. The extent of the cut depends on the percentage of water stock in the seven lakes by September-end. We are hoping that the city receives good quantum of rain in September. Even if one good wet spell is recorded, the lake level will rise to its full capacity,” said a senior civic official.

Currently, the water stock in the lakes stands at 90.65 per cent. According to officials, the current level of 90 per cent is sufficient to supply water only until May, next year. Meanwhile, the lakes when 100 per cent full can provide city water until June 15 at least.

Mumbai draws its daily water supply from seven different lakes – Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna.

While the water stock in all lakes stood at 90.65 per cent on Saturday morning, on the day, last year, lake levels stood at 97.81 per cent. In 2021, meanwhile, the water stock touched 90.22 per cent during the same period. For the record, with the water stock in the lakes’ catchment area depleting to 10.88 per cent on June 30, the civic officials had imposed a 10 percent water cut in the city starting July 1.

The BMC revoked the cut on August 8, after the lake levels crossed 80 per cent.