Mumbai News: Dharavi Faces Severe Water Crisis As Summer Temperatures Soar, Residents Struggle With Shortage And Contamination

Mumbai: As summer temperatures continue to soar, Dharavi’s water crisis is reaching alarming levels, leaving thousands of residents in an increasingly vulnerable state. Several pockets within the slum have been experiencing water shortage for days.

This chronic shortage has left residents with little choice but to rely on expensive private water tankers, further straining household budgets and raises worries about water quality and public health.

The BMC supplies water to Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, from the Bhandup reservoir. However, the area continues to grapple with challenges such as illegal water connections and the unauthorised sale of water, significantly disrupting the supply meant for legitimate users, sources said.

Sandhya Doiphode, a resident of Maharana Pratap Nagar, expressed her frustration, saying, “Illegal water connections are the root of the problem here. We’ve been struggling with water shortages since March. While we can understand such issues during the peak summer months, what’s the excuse for March? At times, we barely receive water for 10 minutes, and even then, the pressure is so low that it’s barely usable.” Residents of Rajeev Gandhi Nagar are also facing similar water-related issues, said residents.

The contamination of drinking water due to pipeline leaks and illegal water tapping, combined with the tanker mafia's exploitation, is also a severe issue for the residents in Dharavi.

Shabana Ansari another resident said, "When pipelines are illegally cut to access free water, the risk of mixing sewer water with drinking water increases, leading to health hazards for the community."

The tanker mafia demands immediate payments and takes advantage of water shortages by inflating prices. As the cost of a 10,000-litre tanker increases to as much as Rs 5,000 during summer months, many families are forced to pay inflated prices due to the lack of a consistent water supply, said another resident.

Erratic supply and growing dependence on private water tankers not only strain residents financially but also expose them to serious health risks every day.

“Nearly 70% of our home space is filled with water drums and pots. We get water for just a few hours, shared by, at least, five families. The drinking water pipelines are leaking and often run over or through gutters,” said Nizam Khan, a resident of 90-feet road.

“The water pressure is low, and the tanker mafia makes life worse. We’ve lived like this for decades. I just hope redevelopment happens quickly so that we can finally get clean, regular water like others in Mumbai,” he added.

Unauthorised water connections have increased in recent times, resulting in reduced pressure and unequal distribution. According to sources, almost 50% of the connections in Dharavi are illegal, drawing water meant for legal users.

“While MHADA, SRA, and private buildings in Dharavi receive regular water bills from the BMC, the informal tenements share a single BMC meter and residents are charged a fee for water supply,” the source added.

Residents from different areas have echoed similar concerns. “Water pressure is a joke — it doesn’t flow, just drips,” said Sunita Devi from Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. “The tanker mafia demands spot payments and charges more during shortages. The authorities should act,” she added.

Contamination is another pressing issue. Waterwalla, a social enterprise working in slums, has noted frequent leaks and bacterial contamination. Their report highlighted high turbidity, odour, and presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli.

Experts have observed that due to narrow lanes and dense households, drinking water and sewage lines often run side by side, making residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases.

While efforts like a new sewage treatment plant are underway, residents believe that only full-scale redevelopment will bring lasting change. “We want clean drinking water, fresh air, and a dignified life,” said a local resident Mahima Jaiswal.