Mumbai: Despite a new pipeline, muddy water continues in Santacruz

This muddy water that came out of the tap on Tuesday is a daily occurence for the residents. Pic/Prasun Choudhari

Despite the installation of a new water pipeline by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Dr Subramaniam Nagar of the H-East ward, Santacruz, residents continue to grapple with poor water quality and erratic supply timings. This situation has not only inconvenienced the local population but has also given rise to a host of health concerns.

Residents have been reporting an increase in skin-related issues and waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery. It was reported in the mid-day on August 21, 2023, municipal water in this area is contaminated by faecal matter and high levels of E.Coli. The BMC's efforts to enhance water supply infrastructure in the locality have yielded disappointing results, with residents primarily lamenting the irregularity of water supply timings.

Many have resorted to purchasing bottled water regularly to meet their basic needs, further straining their finances. One resident said, "We need to buy bottled water on a regular basis. Generally, we buy a 20-litre bottle daily for R100 per bottle to meet all our daily needs. Even after paying water charges to the BMC, we have to buy water."

Water collected in a bottle at Dr Subramanaiam Nagar in H-East Santacruz visibly appears contaminated

Besides the financial burden, the poor water quality has raised serious health concerns among the residents. Mamta Gupta, another resident, said, "Many residents have got skin infections due to the bad quality water. We face issues from bathing, let alone drinking it. At times when we have no alternatives, we have to drink this water, causing stomach infections as well as other stomach-related problems like diarrhea and dysentery."

The BMC move to upgrade the water supply infrastructure in Dr Subramaniam Nagar was expected to bring about significant improvements in the quality and reliability of water supply. However, the reality has fallen short of these expectations. Residents are left grappling with the consequences of inadequate water management, leading to a decline in their overall quality of life. The situation has prompted residents to demand immediate action from the BMC. They seek a comprehensive investigation into the water quality issues, as well as a resolution to the erratic water supply timings that disrupt their daily routines.

In response to the residents' concerns, Sudhir Shivdas Jadhav, assistant engineer, water works, H-East ward said, "The Subramanyam Nagar is a densely populated slum area situated at the fag-end of H-East water supply zone near the airport boundary. The slum dwellers have taken their service pipes through the existing drains and nullahs, which is causing the contamination." Jadhav said to remediate the contamination of drinking water, a 150 mm water line has been approved and will be laid soon.

"When the new water line is laid, the bunch of connections will be removed simultaneously. As a temporary measure, two 50 mm water lines have been laid. We have tested the water sample within municipal limits of H-East ward and found it fit for drinking," he said. On the timings of water supply, Jadhav said the supply timing for this area is 4 am and availability of water depends on the water pressure.

Twenty-litre
Volume of (bottled) water residents need to buy daily

4 am
The time residents have to wake up to fill water