Navi Mumbai Mayor Sujata Patil has instructed civic authorities to take stringent action against individuals and establishments found misusing potable water for non-essential purposes such as vehicle washing, gardening and construction activities. The move follows growing complaints regarding water wastage, discoloured supply in certain areas and concerns over ageing distribution infrastructure.
The directive was issued during the Mayor’s visit to a water quality testing facility near Arenja Corner in Turbhe, where she reviewed ongoing monitoring measures and discussed issues related to the city’s water supply network.
Emphasising the importance of responsible water usage, Patil stated that while the municipal administration remains committed to ensuring an adequate supply of safe drinking water, residents must also play their part in conserving the resource.
“We are committed to providing clean and sufficient drinking water to every resident. However, water is a precious resource and its misuse cannot be tolerated. Action will be taken against anyone found using drinking water illegally for washing vehicles, gardens or construction purposes,” the Mayor said.
The inspection was attended by Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat, local corporators and senior civic officials. During the meeting, corporator Shashikant Raut highlighted instances of water wastage in Vashi Sectors 28 and 29, alleging that residents were using hoses extensively to clean vehicles. He urged authorities to conduct early morning inspections and impose penalties on offenders.
Several corporators also raised concerns about water quality and infrastructure. Questions were raised regarding reports of yellowish water in some localities, while concerns were expressed about ageing pipelines running through drainage channels and the possibility of contamination through leakages.
Addressing these issues, Patil said the civic administration was responding swiftly to complaints related to muddy or discoloured water. “If the discoloured water being reported in some areas was unsafe across the city, hospitals would have been overflowing with patients. The municipal corporation is responding promptly to complaints wherever muddy or discoloured water is reported,” she said.
Additional City Engineer Arvind Shinde assured residents that water quality tests had confirmed the supply remained safe for consumption. He added that chlorine levels were being maintained as per prescribed norms and that ageing pipelines would be replaced wherever necessary. Shinde also noted that new online pumping systems are expected to improve water pressure across the network and reiterated that action would be taken against unauthorised use of drinking water.
Source: The Free Press Journal
