Dharavi’s Water Woes Persist As Erratic Supply, Contamination Adds To Trouble
"The water pressure is low, and the tanker mafia makes life worse. We’ve lived like this for decades," a Dharavi resident said.
Dharavi’s water crisis is set to intensify with the summer setting in. Various pockets within the slum does not receive water for three to four days at a stretch. The 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 Nijam 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.
As things stand, Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, gets its daily water supply from the Bhandup reservoir. Water is supplied once a day across the seven wards, between 6 am and 10 pm. However, unauthorised water connections have increased, 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 raised 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.
The cost of a 10,000-litre tanker ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 but can shoot up to Rs 5,000 during emergencies and peak summers.
“We have to choose between paying for water or buying essentials. It’s a daily struggle,” said another resident from Muslim Nagar.
Adding to the issue, water contamination is another pressing issue as well. Waterwalla, a social enterprise working in slums, has highlighted frequent leaks and bacterial contamination. Their report notes high turbidity, odour, and presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli due to poor infrastructure.
Experts from the International Institute of Population Sciences have observed that narrow lanes and dense households are causing drinking water and sewage lines to run side by side. This makes 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 Mahima Jaiswal from Matunga Labour Camp. “Basic necessities should not be treated as a luxury,” she added.
