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A PROJECT REPORT ON STUDY OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM PROBLEMS &

SOLUTIONS IN MUMBAI CITY Submitted to the division of civil engineering

Technical Report · August 2017

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28999.11683

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 A
PROJECT REPORT
ON
STUDY OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS
IN MUMBAI CITY

Submitted to the division of civil engineering

The Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata
In partial fulfillment for the award of degree
In
Civil Engineering
August – 2017
Submitted by
MAHADEV MARUTI KORE (ST 524952-5)
Under the guidance of
SHRI. VIVEK GANESH ABHYANKAR (M-140491-6)

The Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata

Department of Civil Engineering
The Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata
August – 2017
 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY

This is certified that this project report on

“Study of water supply system problems & Solutions in Mumbai City”.
has been prepared by Mahadev M. Kore, Senior technician member of
institution‟s section-B civil engineering in partial fulfillment of degree in
civil engineering of The Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata, under my
guidance and supervision. The work incorporated in this project work has
not been submitted to this or any other institution for the award of degree.
The author has been working in Hydraulic Engineer‟s department of MCGM
as a Sub engineer since past 3 years and has acquired thorough experience in
various aspects of water supply related issues.

I approve this project report.

Date:

( Shri. Vivek Abhyankar )

Project guide

The Institution of Engineers (India)

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 GUIDES COMMENTS

The candidate Mr. Mahadev M. Kore (ST 524952-5) is presently working

in a MCGM for last eight years. From last three years he has been working in
water works department as a Sub Engineer. Based on this he has selected the
project i.e. “Study of water supply system problems & Solutions in Mumbai
City”.

I have verified the data presented to me to a best possible extent. The

Conclusions drawn at the end of the project are based on the data available. The
author has also tried to present the future scope of this study. I have thoroughly
checked and approved the conclusions and the future scope. The evaluation of the
project (the mark given to the candidate) is based on the correctness of the data,
interpretation of the data, sincerity of the candidate and the presentation of the
data.

(Guide) Director

V. G. Abhyankar (EEA) -- (IEI)

M-140491-6

The Candidate has taken necessary permission from his seniors to refer /
reproduce certain part of the data.

I have verified the data presented to me to a best possible extent. The

Conclusions drawn at the end of the project are based on the data available. The
author has also tried to present the future scope of this study. I have thoroughly
checked and approved the conclusions and the future scope. The evaluation of the
project (the mark given to the candidate) is based on the correctness of the data, in

2|Page
 ACKNOWLEGEMENT

The author herewith takes an opportunity to say thanks to Project Guide

Shri. Vivek G. Abhyankar Sir for his valuable guidance for this project.

The author is also obliged to all seniors of water department of MCGM to

allow him to use the data for the Project presented here.

The author is also thankful to The Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata

for giving me opportunity to acquire graduation (AMIE) through distance
education.

3|Page
 SYNOPSIS

1. Title of Project – Study of water supply system problems & solutions in

Mumbai City

2. Objectives of study - To find out the problems; to determine root causes

behind problems & possible solutions to water supply system in Mumbai
City.

3. Rationale of the study – As we know water is essential for life, yet we tend
to take it for granted because it is generally so readily available. Most of the
world‟s water, about 97% is in the oceans. 1.4 billion cubic kilometers is
saltwater. Only 3% is the freshwater in lakes, rivers and glaciers. The
amount of water we have on earth is always the same. However, clean water,
is getting rarer because of pollution. The quality of water is a directly affect
on the health. Hence, supply of quality water with optimal quantity is a
major task in any water supply system. The better water supply management
is a need of time. It is important to supply safe & standard quality water to
the end users. This need has given birth to the study of this topic.

4. Detailed methodology to be used for carrying out the study –

a. List down various problems related to water supply system and
associated risks/hazards.
b. To find out the reasons for water supply system problems.
c. Its negative effect to our health, time & overall economy of the country.
d. Initiatives taken by government, MCGM & other government agencies to
tackle the problems in water supply.
e. Innovative solutions and practices in other nations.

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5. The expected contribution from the study – This study will come out with
some possible solutions to minimize the water supply systems problems.

6. List of activities to be carried out to complete the project(with the help

of bar chart showing the time schedule) –
a. To meet the project guide.
b. To finalize the title of the project.
c. Meeting with concerned people in MCGM to collect the required
information regarding project.
d. To prepare the detailed project.

7. Places/Labs/ equipment & tools required & planning of arrangements –

a. Project basically throws light on problems and solutions to water supply
system of Mumbai city.
b. MCGM has unique feature that almost entire water supply distribution is
by gravity due to typical terrain geography.
c. The water is distributed from 2-Master Balancing Reservoir, 27- Service
Reservoirs across the city of Mumbai and through the maze of 6000 km
long distribution network spread all over the city.
d. MCGM uses under-ground water supply tunnels ranging from diameter
2200mm to 5500mm totaling in length of about 100 Km to convey raw /
treated water. Daily more than 1000 number of valves are operated to
regulate water supply in 250 water supply zones.
e. Author met concerned people of MCGM, referred Development Control
Regulation (DCR), MMC Act, news papers; visited various sites of water
supply project. Studied distribution network.

8. Problems envisaged in carrying out the project, if any.

Nil.
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 INDEX

Sr.No. Description Page No.

1 Title of the Project 9

2 Brief history of Mumbai 9 - 10

3 Brief history of Mumbai water supply system 10 - 16

4 Present status of water supply system of Mumbai 17 - 23

5 Details Of water supply system in Mumbai 24 - 39

6 Challenges in Mumbai water supply system 40 - 51

7 Measures taken by MCGM 51 - 57

8 Solutions to water supply system in Mumbai 58 - 65

9 Example of Israel 65 - 74

10 Conclusion 75 - 76

11 Scope of future study 76 - 77

12 References 77

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table no. 1.1 : Diameter of water main from reservoirs……………………….....14

Table no. 1.2 : Available water from various reservoirs……………………….....20

Table no. 1.3 : Future Schemes………………………..……………………….....20

Table no. 1.4 : Area & zone of Mumbai water supply...……………………….....29

Table no. 1.5 : WHO & National Drinking standards………………………….....30

Table no. 1.6 : Quality standard of Mumbai water supply……………………......31

Table no. 1.7 : Population growth & future trend…………………………..….....41

Table no. 1.8 : Demand of water in Mumbai city…………………..…............42-44

Table no. 1.9 : Population projection………………….………………………….45

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure no. 1.1 : Vehar reservoirs……………………………………………….....15

Figure no. 1.2 : Tulsi reservoirs..……………………………………………….....15

Figure no. 1.3 : Tansa reservoirs……………………………………………….....15

Figure no. 1.4 : Vaitarna reservoirs…………………………………………….....16

Figure no. 1.5 : Modak sagar reservoirs………………………………………......16

Figure no. 1.6 : Bhatsa Dam…...……………………………………………….....16

Figure no. 1.7 : Master balance reservoir at malbar hill,Mumbai…..………….....17

Figure no. 1.8 : Major dia water main at mahim creek……………………...........22

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Figure no. 1.9 : Present & future source of Mumbai water supply…………….....23

Figure no. 1.10 : Showing major dia trunk main…………………………….........32

Figure no. 1.11 : Laying of 300 mm dia water main at Dharavi,Mumbai.…….....32

Figure no. 1.12 : Typical bunch of service connections…………………………..33

Figure no. 1.13 : Bhandup water treatment plant……………………………........38

Figure no. 1.14 : Panjarapur water treatment plant …………………………........39

Figure no. 1.15 : Deamand & supply..………………………………………….....42

Figure no. 1.16: Percentage growth…………………………………………….....45

Figure no. 1.17 : Repair of major dia Tansa water main……………………….....46

Figure no. 1.18 : Burst of major dia water main……………………………..........47

Figure no. 1.19 : Cavity in road due to leakage..……………………………….....47

Figure no. 1.20 : Underground obstructions...………………………………….....48

Figure no. 1.21 : Dewatering for repairing of water main..…………………….....48

Figure no. 1.22 : Trunk main passing through slum...………………………….....49

Figure no. 1.23 : Source of Contamination……………………………………….50

Figure no. 1.24 : Construction of middle vaitarna dam……………………….......52

Figure no. 1.25 : Middle vaitarna dam after construction…………………….......52

Figure no. 1.26: Marol Maroshi tunnel……………………………………............55

Figure no. 1.27 : Laying of major dia water mains………………………….........57

Figure no. 1.28 : Water sensor………………………………………………….....71

Figure no. 1.29 : Loss of revenue due to leakge………………………………......72

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1.0 Title of Project –
Study of water supply system problems & solutions in Mumbai City

2.0 Brief history of Mumbai –

1. The city of Mumbai originally consisted of seven islands, namely colaba,

Mazgaon, old woman‟s island (Little Colaba), wadala, mahim, parel & worli.
These groups of islands, which have been joined together by a series of
reclamation. The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to
communities of fishing colonies. These seven islands of Bombay were 16th
century Portuguese territories lying off the west coast of India, that were
handed over to England under this title as part of the dowry of Catherine of
Braganza when she married Charles II in 1661.The isles had earlier been part
of indigenous empires like the Silhara dynasty and the Sultan of Gujarat before
they were captured by the Portuguese in 1534. After acquiring them as dowry,
Charles II rented the islands to the East India Company in 1668 for 10 pounds
of gold a year. By 1845, the islands had been merged into one landmass by
means of multiple land reclamation projects.
2. Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra state. It is the most crowded city in
India and the ninth most crowded city in the world, with an estimated city
population of 18.4 million. Along with the neighboring regions of the Mumbai
Metropolitan Region, it is one of the most crowded urban regions in the world
and the second most crowded metropolitan area in India, with a population of
20.7 million as of 2011. It is also the wealthiest city in India and has the
highest GDP of any city in South, West, or Central Asia. Mumbai is the
financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. It is also one of the
world's top ten centers of commerce in terms of global financial flow,
generating 6.16% of India's GDP and accounting for 25% of industrial output,
70% of maritime trade in India (Mumbai Port Trust and JNPT) and 70% of
capital transactions to India's economy. The city houses important financial

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 institutions and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and
multinational corporations. It is also home to some of India's premier scientific
and nuclear institutes like BARC, NPCL, IREL, TIFR, AERB, AECI, and the
Department of Atomic Energy. The city also houses India's Hindi (Bollywood)
and Marathi film and television industry.
3. Mumbai consists of two distinct regions: Mumbai City district and Mumbai
Suburban district. The city district region is also commonly referred to as the
Island City or South Mumbai. The total area of Mumbai is 603.4 km2; of this,
the island city spans 67.79 km2, while the suburban district spans 370 km2,
together accounting for 437.71 km2 under the administration of Municipal
Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). The remaining areas belong to
various establishments like the Mumbai Port Trust, the Atomic Energy
Commission, MMRDA, PWD, Railways etc. and the Borivali National Park,
which is in the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.

3.0 Brief history of Mumbai Water Supply System

3.1 Historical Development

Mumbai is one of the ten mega cities of the world and financial hub of India.
The history of water supply system of 12.5 million population mega polis, dates
back to the year 1845 when the city was cluster of seven island and population
was just few thousand. The original habitants of Mumbai drew water from
wells and tanks. In the absence of Perennial River, harnessing of surface water
was the only feasible solution. Search for a suitable site for impounding the
monsoon runoffs was started in 1845 for growing demand. Right from the first
day of piped water supply, impoundage and long conveyance system bringing
water by gravity have remained the main characteristic of Mumbai‟s water
supply. Mumbai‟s water supply system is unique and complex. The water
supply system has grown over the last 130 years and it is amongst the eighth
largest water supply systems in the world.

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 Mumbai’s water supply comes from seven reservoirs – Modak Sagar, Tansa
Lake, Vehar Lake, Tulsi Lake, Upper Vaitarna, Bhatsa and Middle Vaitarna.
The Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna come under state government’s control while
the others are maintained by the BMC.

3.2 History of water source development

The developed source of water in Mumbai can be divided in two types like
Source before Independence & Source after Independence.

3.2.1 Source before Independence

1. The first piped water supply was made available through impoundage
created by Vehar lake on the river Mithi, and 32 MLD water was conveyed
to city by 1200mm > 800mm water main in the year 1860. Vehar has the
distinction of being Mumbai‟s first piped water supply scheme,
commissioned in 1860. The scheme is still operative with total potential of
110 Million Liters per Day (MLD) treated water.
2. Critical Water shortage led to development of Tulsi Scheme in 1872
Upstream of Vehar lake – Mithi river – 600 mm diameter pipeline to carry
18 MLD to Malbar Hill reservoir where slow sand filters constructed and
subsequently shifted near Tulsi lake. From 1872 search continued and in
1885
3. In 1885, it was decided to develop Tansa as the next source. Meanwhile, a
critical situation of water shortage arose and led to the immediate
development of Tulsi Lake, upstream of Vehar Lake, on the river Mithi. The
scheme with dam, treatment facility and conveyance system has total
potential of 18 MLD. Powai scheme was taken up on a tributary of the Mithi
River, as an emergency measure. Because of the inferior quality of the water
from this catchment, the 4 MLD water supply was later diverted for Array
dairy and industrial use. In 1886, it was decided to tap river Tansa situated
about 110 km from city. This scheme was completed in four stages with

11 | P a g e
 total potential of 410 MLD in 1948. The dam over river Tansa constructed
100 years ago in 1892, now needs strengthening against seismic forces. The
tulsi sceme having 800 mm dia cast iorn water main from Mud dam to
Malbar hill was commissioned in 1879. Through this scheme every day 18
MLD of water is supplied to Arey Colony & Film city area in Mumbai.
After Tulsi scheme Tansa scheme was taken in hand. Under this scheme,
Tansa Dam (a 2.8 Km long stone masonry dam) & two 1800 mm dia water
main was laid & commissioned step by step in between 1892 to 1948. This
resulted in increasing supply by 500 MLD per day to Mumbai city.

3.2.2 Source after Independence

1. A large influx of population after independence necessitated development of

new source. Under the able guidance of Municipal Engineer shri N.V.
Modak, Vaitarna reservoir scheme was conceived and implemented. The
scheme evolved construction of concrete gravity dam and 2500 mm
diameter steel pipeline, entirely planned and executed by Municipal
Engineers. Vaitarna scheme itself completely developed by Mumbai
Municipal Corporation. A reservoir developed on river Vaitarna is known as
“Modak Sagar reservoir”. After completion of this scheme in 1957,
additional 490 MLD of water was brought to the city.
2. The Government of Maharashtra (GOM) executed the “Upper Vaitarna
Scheme” as a hydro-electric-cum-water supply scheme.The works,
completed in 1972, made available additional 544 MLD of water supply to
the city. A pipeline of 3000 mm > 2750 mm > 2400 mm diameter was laid
by the Corporation. Tunnel of 3500-mm diameter, was bored below the
Thane Creek, to carry the entire water supply under the creek. Another
tunnel, known as Mulund Kandivali tunnel, was bored through the hills of
the Borivali National Park for the growing suburbs in western part of the
city.

12 | P a g e
 3. Till 1972 all sources were gravity supply and the treatment given is
disinfection by Chlorine. In 1980 the 1910 MLD treatment plant at Bhandup
was commissioned.

4. Considering ever-growing need of water supply of the city GOM allocated

1365 MLD water supply from Bhatsa multipurpose project. This scheme
was developed with aid from World Bank in three stages. The scheme
envisaged lifting 1365 MLD water at Pise weir in Bhatsa river course, D/s of
Bhatsa dam. The treatment plant at Panjarapur, construction of 125 ML
MBR at Yewai and conveyance system from Yewai to City. The scheme
was commissioned in three stages. In each stage 455 MLD water was
brought to city in 1981, 1989 and 1996 respectively.

5. Thus at present about 3000 MLD water is conveyed to city (about 120 MLD
is supplied enrooted) out of which 910 MLD treated at Panjarapur, 2000
MLD (with 10% overloading) treated at Bhandup Complex, 70 MLD at
Vehar and 18 MLD at Tulsi. The treated water meeting international
standards is distributed to 28 service reservoirs scattered all over the city by
two Master Balancing Reservoirs at Bhandup (246 Million Litre) and Yewai
(125 Million Litre). From service reservoirs water supply is redistributed to
109 water supply zones at convenient consumer timings. The total length of
water supply distribution network is about 5000 km with 2,80,000 consumer
connections.

3.2.3 Sources :

Classified on availability
 Surface Water - Natural Lakes, Lake formed by dams on river,
rivers, weirs etc.
 Ground water - Tube wells, Wells etc.

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  Surface water sources for Water Supply to Mumbai

Diameter of
Year of Yield supplying Distance from
Source
Commissioning (MLD)* water main city (Km)
(in mm)

1860 Vehar 68 1200 mm 20

1872 Tulsi 18 600 mm 30

1200 mm,
1892-1948 Tansa 455 1250 mm, 110
1800 mm

Vaitarna
1954 455 2400 mm 130
(Modak Sagar)

1972 Upper Vaitarna 635 2750 mm 180

1980 Bhatsa I 455 2235 mm 130

1989 Bhatsa II 455 2235 mm 130

1998 Bhatsa III 455 3000 mm 130

TOTAL 2996

Table 1.1
The above table shows the distance & diameter water mains from various reservoirs to Mumbai city
*Yield is capacity of water available in Million Litre per Day (MLD)

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Fig. 1.1 showing Vehar reservoir supplying water to Mumbai city

Fig. 1.2 showing Tulsi reservoir supplying water to Mumbai city

Fig. 1.3 showingi Tansa reservoir supplying water to Mumbai city

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 Fig. 1.4 showing Vaitarna reservoir

Fig. 1.5 showing Modak Sagar reservoir

Fig. 1.6 showing Bhatsa Dam

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4.0 Present status of water supply system of Mumbai –

1. The major water supply sources Tansa reservoir (455 Mld), Vaitarna reservoir
(455 Mld), Upper Vaitarna reservoir (640 Mld) and Bhatsa reservoir (1365
Mld) are situated about 100 Kms from the City. Only two small sources Vehar
reservoir (110 Mld) & Tulsi reservoir (18 Mld) are situated in city limit.

2. The water is treated at Bhandup (1910 Mld) and Panjrapur (1350Mld) with
10% overloading. The Tulsi and Vehar water is treated at respective source in
small treatment plants.

3. The raw water and treated water is conveyed through a most complex water
supply network comprised of tunnels / water mains ranging in diameter from
5500 mm to 1800 mm.

4. The treated water is conveyed to 27 service reservoirs through two Master

Balancing Reservoirs (MBR) at Bhandup (MBR-I 246 + 140 Million Litters) &
Yewai (MBR-II 125 Million Litres).

Fig. 1.7 showing internal view of Master Balancing Reservoir at Malbar Hill, Mumbai

17 | P a g e
5. There are more than 250 water supply zones having intermittent water supply
from 1.0 hour to 16 hours depending on topography, population density and
available water supply network.
6. Average system pressure on Trunk mains vary from 50 Meters of Water
Column (MWC) to 80 MWC, pressure of feeder mains vary from 20 MWC to
50 MWC and that in distribution mains is in the range of 3 MWC to 15 MWC.
7. The trunk & feeder water mains are mostly Mild Steel & Cast Iron mains from
diameter 3000 mm to 600 mm. The distributory water mains are Cast Iron,
Ductile Iron and Poly Ethylene. The approximate length of Trunk mains &
inlets-outlets is about 1000 Km and combined length of feeder and distribution
mains is about 6000 Km. The service connections are mostly made with GI
pipe material.
8. There are about 350 thousand metered water connections and about 100
thousand un-metered water connections in old city area. A project for the
installation of supply and consumer meters is recently completed. This will help
in correct assessment of supply and sales quantity.
9. For the quality control well equipped laboratories are set at treatment plants.
Similarly a central laboratory has been set up to monitor field water quality.
Water samples are collected from different parts of city and sent to this
laboratory for testing. Theoretically, it is necessary to test 1250 samples per
month however, to exercise better quality control 4000 samples are tested
monthly. Areas of unfit samples are attended for preventive-measures. Mobile
chlorinators are also used to limit the health problems in the areas receiving
contaminated water supply.

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4.1 Present water sources:

Total
Source
Sr Name of Period of Name of quantity
Description of work yield
No. Project project Source supplied
(MLD)
in (MLD)
Three Earthen dams &
1 VEHAR 1860-1972 Mithi 1200mm > 800mm water 90 90
main to city.
Earthen dam / Rapid sand
2 TULSI 1872-1979 filter & 600mm main upto 18 108
Mithi
Malbar Hill
Masonry Dam (2800 M
3 TANSA 1892-1948 length) & 2-1800mm MS 500 608
Tansa
riveted mains (110 Km)
Pre-cooled concrete dam
(90M high 500M long)
4 VAITARNA 1948-1957 3000mm Tunnel (7 Km) & 455 1063
Vaitarna
2450mm MS above ground
water main (76Km)
Construction of Dams by
GOM & 3200mm >
UPPER
5 1966-1973 2750mm MS main from 635 1698
VAITARNA Vaitarna
Modak sagar to city (76
Km)
Masonary Dam by GOM
BHATSA
7 1967-1981 Bhatsai Weir at Pise & pumping 455 2153
STAGE-I
station at Pise –Panjarapur
Increased Dam height
Additional pumps at Pise-
Panjarapur
BHATSA Bhatsai
8 1981-1989 Filters at Panjarapur & MBR 455 2608
STAGE-II
at Yewai
2235mm> 1800mm main
uptp city (48 Km)

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 Additional pumping at Pise-
BHATSA Bhatsai Pajarapur
9 1989-1996 455 3063
STAGE-III 3000mm main from Yewai
to MGL(28 Km)
Additional pumping at Pise-
Pajarapur 3000mm main
BHATSA from Pise-Panjrapur, 455
10 1996 - 2007 Bhatsai 355 3418
STAGE-IIIA MLD Treatment plant at
Panjrapur, Distribution
Tunnels in city.
Concrete dam, 3000mm
Tunnel (7Km) - pipe line
MIDDLE
11 2003-2012 Vaitarna (40 Km) & 900 MLD WTP 455 3873
VAITARNA
at Bhandup Complex and
140 ML MBR.

Table 1.2
The above table shows the gross quantity of available water from various reservoir sources.
However, net water supply quantity is approx 3350 MLD per day, due to losses
during filtration, technical error in measuring instruments & also supply of approx
120 D of water to Thane city & nearby villages.

4.2 Future augmentation schemes:

Total
Source
Sr. Name of Period of Name of quantity
Description of work yield
No Project project Source supplied
(MLD)
in (MLD)

1 Gargai 2012-17 Gargai Dam – Tunnel - WTP 440 4313

Dam – Tunnel – WTP –

2 Pinjal 2015-21 Pinjal 865 5178
MBR

3
Dam – Tunnel – WTP –
Damanganga 2011 – 21 Damanganga 1586 6764
MBR

Table 1.3 shows future schemes

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1. Presently water is supplied at 45 litres per capita per day (lpcd) for the slum
areas and 150 lpcd for planned developments. MCGM intend to improve the
water supply to about 150 lpcd slum dwellers on slum rehabilitation
programme and at 300 lpcd to planned developments. Development of future
sources is in progress to achieve above goal.

4.3 Waste water treatment facilities (WwTF)

1. MCGM has implemented integrated Water Supply & Sewerage Projects

(WSSD) namely Bombay-I, Bombay-II, Bombay-III from 1974 to 1996.
Meanwhile, MCGM has prepared first Master Plan for sewerage system of
Mumbai in 1979. This Master Plan divided entire Mumbai into 7 sewerage
zones as per the topography. MCGM has accordingly developed sewerage
infrastructure for these 7 sewerage zones and the works of 7 sewage
treatment plants were executed under MSDP-I by year 2003.

2. It is planned that 7 waste water treatment facilities (WwTF) to be

constructed under MSDP will include tertiary treatment and the disinfected /
treated waste water will be recycled and reused for non potable / industrial
purpose.

3. The work of construction of Colaba WwTF of 37 MLD Capacity with

tertiary treatment facilities is already commenced and the same will be
commissioned by February 2019.

4. Apart from Colaba, MCGM has shortlisted six other sites for sewage
treatment plant in Worli, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Versova, Malad and Bhandup,
through which it aims to recycle and treat 3000 million litre daily (mld)
waste water.

5. According to civic officials, the water supply demand has been increasing
continuously due to the rising population. With rains playing truant these

21 | P a g e
 days, the stocks are also limited, which compels the civic body to plan its
use by making water cuts.

6. Under the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project (MSDP), the Colaba sewage
treatment plant, situated near Afghan Church would collect the used waters
from Afghan Church, Kitteries Road, Robert Road, Merry Weather Road,
NF Road and A ward areas. This water will be treated and discharged into
the sea through a 1,200 mm outlet.

Fig. 1.8 showing major dia water main at Mahim creek

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Fig. 1.9 showing present & futures proposed sources of Mumbai Water Supply

23 | P a g e
5.0 Details of water supply system in Mumbai –

Mumbai has been not only the capital city of Maharashtra state, but the
commercial capital of the country. Today it is the largest populated metropolis
in the country. Assured water supply is one major factor for the development of
the city. The growth of water supply system is a process of continuous
evolution on the technology, financial and organizational aspects, in response to
the changing needs of the city

Here it is tried to review the entire process of evolution based on the

experience.

1. Population
The population of Mumbai has increased about 4 times in last five decades.
The growth rate in suburbs of Mumbai was more than 100% in a particular
decade. Factors like industrial growth and employment opportunities thereby,
cheap and better mode of transport, assured water supply, better health services
influenced the population growth.

2. Demand
It is presumed that the population will saturate by year 2021. Because of the
high rate of population growth and thereby tremendous increase in water
demand, the water supply could not be augmented to match the demand. Thus
intermittent water supply is therefore unavoidable. The present demand of the
city is 3975 MLD as against the total supply of 2911 MLD , which is about
73% of the demand. The projected demand for the year 2021 is about 5100
MLD. This demand is worked is out on the basis of 240 litres per capita per day
(lpcd) for planned buildings and 135 lpcd for the slum considering the up
gradation of slums (Considering saturation of population by year 2021). It is
presumed that the industrial demand will remain constant.

24 | P a g e
3. Future Sources
The future sources identified will augment the water supply by 2585 MLD. On
completion of augmentation schemes the supply will match the demand for the
year 2021.

4. Treatment
There are four treatment plants which supply treated water to Mumbai city. The
quality of treated water is maintained as per World Health Organisation (WHO)
standards.

5. Transmission
The treated water is transmitted to the city by means of transmission system
comprising of water mains ranging from 1800mm to 3000mm and tunnels. The
length of transmission network is about 650 Km.

6. Master Balancing & Service Reservoirs

The treated water is stored in two Master Balancing Reservoirs which in turn
supply to 27 service reservoirs located in the different parts of city at appropriate
elevations.

7. Distribution
From these service reservoirs water is distributed to different parts of city. For
distribution purpose City is divided into 109 water supply zones which gets
intermittent water supply through the network ranging from 150mm dia to
2500mm dia water mains . The distribution system is monitored by three zonal
controls for city, Eastern suburbs and Western suburbs and a Master Control
Centre at Bhandup Treatment Works.

8. Leak Detection
Some of the pipes are more than 100 years old. A regular leak detection survey
is carried out to arrest the leakage. Electronic and conventional sounding

25 | P a g e
 instruments are used to locate the leakage. For this purpose city is divided into
616 leak detection zone. These leak detection zones are attended in cyclic order.

9. Quality Control
Quality of water is checked at different levels i.e.at Treatment plant, Service
Reservoir and in the field of consumer end. About 900 samples are collected
daily. Well equipped laboratories are set up at treatment plants as well as at
central location to monitor the quality of water. Area from where the unfit
sample is collected is immediately attended for preventive maintenance.
Leakage is attended and fresh samples are checked till the sample is found fit.
In case of large area, affected by water borne diseases, mobile chlorinators are
used in the area, till the maintenance work is completed and the water sample is
found fit.

10. Tariff Structures

The tariff for water is broadly classified in to two categories viz. Domestic and
non domestic. The water supply to domestic users is subsidised and charged at
the rate of Rs.1.75 to Rs.3.00 per 1000 litres. The non domestic rates are Rs.
8.35 to Rs.35 per 1000 litres. As a result 65% of the total revenue generated is
received from 15% non domestic users. The production cost is about Rs.5 per
1000 litres and is increasing due to addition-replacement and maintenance of old
assets.

5.1 Salient Features

The salient features of the Mumbai water supply systems are highlighted here.

5.1.1 Salient Features of Mumbai’s Water Supply

1. Water Supply per day – about 2900 Million Litre per Day (MLD)

2. Sources of Water Supply – about 130 km from Mumbai

3. Tansa Dam – Constructed in 1892 – (Length 2.8 km) one of the largest
masonry dam in Asia.
26 | P a g e
4. Modak Sagar Dam

I) Designed and executed by Municipal Engineer

without any foreign consultancy and financial aid.

II) Technology of pre-cooled concrete mix used for the first time.

5. 3000 mm diameter Mild steel water main – Largest diameter of pipe used

in Asian countries.

6. 3000 mm diameter tunnels – Largest diameter tunnel used for conveyance

of water in Asian countries.

7. Bhandup Water Treatment Plant – Treatment capacity 1910 MLD – The

largest water treatment plant in Asia.

8. Pumps at Pise, Panjrapur and Bhandup– Largest pumps installed in India.

9. Pioneers in setting up a leak detection unit in India (since 1965).

10.Well-established Planning & Research section since 1963 to design water

distribution network with computer.

11.First to introduce mortar lining of large and small size water mains.

12.Water distribution network – More than 4000 km of water mains

13.Fire hydrants – 12500 plus

14.Daily operated valves – 800 plus diameter ranging between 150 mm to 2400
mm diameter.

15.Environmental study is first time carried out for Middle Vaitarna Scheme.

16.SCADA commissioned for monitoring the water supply network.

17.Entire water supply network is proposed to be brought on GIS.

27 | P a g e
5.2 Basic Facts on Mumbai’s Water Distribution System
(Mumbai as a Whole)
Average Daily Water Supply: 3450 Mld
Major Water Sources: Vehar 90 Mld
Tulsi 18 Mld
Tansa 455 Mld
Upper Vaitarna 635 Mld
Modak Sagar 455 Mld
Bhatsa 1365 Mld
Middle Vaitarna 455 Mld

Major Water Treatment Plants:

 Bhandup: Rated capacity 1910 Mld, working at 2100 Mld
 Panjarapur: Rated capacity 1365 Mld, working at 1365 Mld
 Vehar + Tulsi : Rated capacity 90 Mld + 18 Mld
Major Pumping stations:
 Pise
 Panjarapur
 Bhandup
 Raoli
Master Balancing Reservoirs: 2
 Yewai 123 ML
 Bhandup 246 ML
Service Reservoirs: 27
Length of water mains: 5500 Kms (Distribution Mains-4000 km - 150 mm to 300
mm plus Outlets / Feeder Mains, Transmission Lines- 1500
Km of 450 mm to 3000 mm which includes raw water
pipe lines from source to WTPs)
No. of Distribution Zones: 256 (City - 73, ES – 56, WS - 127)
Total Connections: 443013 (Metered - 343013 and Un-metered – 100000) This
quantity includes the domestic, commercial and industrial
categories)
Water Billed: 2257750 M3 / Day
Total Annual Revenues: Rs.18763 Million.
No. of daily operated valves: 1024
Total Operation Cost: Rs. 10458 Million
Hydraulic Engineer’s Staff: 12116 (Engineers 1030, Administrative & Others– 547,
Labour – 10539)

28 | P a g e
Sr. Description Island City Eastern Western Zone Total
No. Zone Zone
1. Area (Sq Kms.) 68.71 158.66 210.54 437.71

A, B, C, D, E, H/East, H/West,
L, M/East,
F/South, K/East, K/West,
2. Wards M/West, N, 24
F/North, P/South,
S, T
G/South & P/North,
Total Population (In G/North R/South,
3. 3.106 3.816 5.509 12.431
Millions) R/Central,

Total Water Supply R/North

4. 1170 945 1335 3450
(Mld)
Consumer Connections
(Nos.)
5.
58143+ 387884+
Total 127166 202452
Unmetered Unmetered
Service Reservoirs
6. 10 7 10 27
(Nos.)

Distribution Network
7. 1500 1500 3000 6000
(Kms) (150 mm to 300
mm)
Water Supply Zones
8. 73 56 127 256
(Nos.)

9. Daily Operated Valves 353 222 449 1024

(Nos.)
Suction Tank &
10. 11 49 16 76
Pumping
11. Slum Pockets (Nos.) 692 1257 1799 3748

12. Slum Areas (Sq. Km.) 4.30 14.84 18.24 37.38

13. Road length (Km) 506.46 927.65 507.05 1941.16

Table 1.4 shows details of Mumbai Water supply system in terms of area & zones

29 | P a g e
5.3 Water supply national norms & proposed norms adopted for Mumbai
NATIONAL NORMS as per CPHEEO

Residential community with sewer facility 150 lpcd

Residential community withouit sewer (Slums) 40 lpcd
Commercial / Institutional 45 lpcd
Industrial / Hospitals / Hostels 45 lpcd to 300 lpcd

PROPOSED NORMS FOR MUMBAI

Residential planned development 240 lpcd

Rehabilatated Slums 150 lpcd
SP connections in Slum 45 lpcd
Industrial / Hospitals/ Hostels 45 lpcd to 300 lpcd

5.4 WHO & NATIONAL DRINKING WATER STANDARDS

WORLD HEALTH MINISTRY OF WORKS AND

CHARACTERISTICS ORGANISATION - 1971 HOUSING –1975
HIGHEST MAXIMUM CAUSE OF
IPHYSICO - CHEMICAL DESIRABLE PERMISSIBLE ACCEPTABLE REJECTION

Turbidity, JTU 5.0 25.00 2.5 10.00

Taste and odour NothingNothingDisagreeable Disagreeable
Colour ( Pt. Scale) 5.00 50.00 5.00 25.00
PH 7.0 - 8.5 6.5 - 9.2 7.0 - 8.5 6.5 - 9.2
Total solids 500.0 1500.0 500.0 1500.0
Total hardness ( as CaCO3) 100.0 500.0 200.0 600.0
Magnesium 30.0 150.0 30.0 150.0
Iron ( Fe) 0.1 1.0 0.1 1.0
Manganese 0.05 0.5 0.05 0.5
Copper 0.05 1.0 0.05 1.5
Chloride 200.0 600.0 200.0 1000.0

Table 1.5 shows WHO & National drinking Standards

30 | P a g e
5.5 QUALITY STANDARDS OF TREATED WATER IN MUMBAI

TESTS IS 10500 : 1991 Filter water

ACCEPTABLE MAX. MAXIMUM MINIMUM

PERMISSIBLE
TURBIDITY N.T.U. 5.00 10.00 0.80
0.1 7
COLOUR H.U. 5.00 25.00 <5 <5
PH 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5 6.85 6.70
TOTAL SOLIDS mg/l N.P. N.P. 34.00 20.00
SUSPENDED SOLIDS mg/l N.P. N.P. NIL NIL
DISSOLVED SOLIDS mg/l 500.00 2000.00 34.00 20.00
CHLORIDES mg/l 250.00 1000.00 10.00 9.00
ALKALINITY mg/l 200.00 600.00 34.00 25.00
TOTAL HARDNESS mg/l 300.00 600.00 50.00 34.00
CALCIUM HARDNESS mg/l N.P. N.P. 32.00 19.00
CALCIUM AS Ca++ mg/l 75.00 200.00 12.80 7.60
MAGNESIUM AS Mg++ mg/l 30.00 100.00 5.72 2.64
IRON AS Fe++ mg/l 0.30 1.00 0.04 0.02
MANGANESE AS Mn++ mg/l 0.10 0.30 NIL NIL
ALUMINIUM AS Al+++ mg/l 0.03 0.20 0.02 NIL

Table 1.6 quality standard of Mumbai water supply

5.6 Distribution Network of Mumbai water supply system –

The distribution network has been laid and upgraded over the past 136 years or
so. The distribution system included the 27 service reservoirs and allied piping
systems for inlets and outlets feeding 256 water supply zones. Water mains
approximately 4000 Km in length, range in diameter from 80 mm to 1800 mm
dia. Water mains have are either cast iron (CI), mild steel (MS) or ductile iron
(DI), some of which have internal cement mortar lining. The MS pipes are
externally protected by either concrete or other proprietary coatings. There are a
total approx 2,94,200 metered connections of which 2,42,000 (83%) are
31 | P a g e
domestic connections including 1,62,000 connections in slums, 47,000 (15%)
commercial connections and 5,200 (2%) industrial connections. There are about
75,000 un-metered connections, primarily in the core areas of the island city
area.

Fig. 1.10 showing major dia Trunk main

Fig. 1.11 showing laying of 300 mm dia w.m. at Dharavi,Mumbai

32 | P a g e
 Fig. 1.12 showing typical Bunch of service connections passing through house gully

5.7 Transmission mains, Inlets-Outlets & Ditributory mains

Transmission mains carry raw water from source to treatment plant. The
diameters of these tunnels / mains varies from 3500mm to 2235mm. The
Inlets-Outlets system conveys treated water from MBR to service reservoirs
and service reservoirs to outlet zones. The diameter of Inlets-Outlets varies
from 2500mm to 750mm.
The feeder mains having diameter 600mm to 450mm feed the distribution
network of 300mm to150mm diameter mains. The length of various mains is
tabulated as under:

Transmission mains 650 Km

Inlets-Outlets & feeder mains 1000 Km

Distribution mains 3000 Km

Service pipe 3,200 Km

33 | P a g e
  Material of pipe

Cast iron pipe 3,000 Km

Steel pipe 1,650 Km

Others (Galvanised Iron) 3,200 Km

 Water supply features

Water supply area 437.71 km / m2

Water supply population 12.5 million

Number of service taps 3,50,000

Average supply amount 3350 MLD

Rate of service population 100 %

Revenue ratio 90

5.8 Treatment of water –

1 The water is completely treated with pre-chlorination, alum-dosing, settling,

filtration and post-chlorination before supplying to consumers. The back wash
quantity generated at Bhandup treatment work (Which is about 45 MLD) is
released in vihar lake. However the blackwash quantity generated at Panjrapur
treatment works (approx 20 MLD) is discharges in nallahs.

2 The treated water is stored in the master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRI) at

Bhandup Complex (246 ML) and MBRI at yewai (123 ML) and further
distributed to 27 service reservoirs spread through the city by a complex
network of inlet mains which are maintained charge for 24 hours. These service
reservoirs in turn supply water to the consumers in different water supply zones
at suitable time for the duration varying from 24-hours to 90 minutes depending

34 | P a g e
 on area of the zone, topography etc. The pressure distribution system is in the
range of 1 to 1.5 Kg/cm square during water supply hours.

5.9 Example of Bhandup Complex

1. Introduction

The water supply to entire city of Mumbai is received from Upper Vaitairna
,Modak sagar,Tansa,Vehar,Tulsi lake sources and Bhatsa river source, Middle
Vaitarna and is treated at water treatment plants located at Bhandup
Complex,Panjarapur,Vehar, and Tulsi. Bhandup Complex water treatment plant
receives raw water from Upper Vaitairna,Vaitarna,Tansa and Bhatsa sources
and has a treatment capacity of @ 1910 ML + 1O% overload quantity per day.
After adjusting for treatment losses, the Quantity of water treated and supplied
to City at present is 1950 MLD average. Raw water supply from 108 Upper
Vaitairna,96 Vaitairna,72 Tansa(E) and 72 Tansa (W) water mains is received
through a 5.00 meter diameter Horse shoe shaped under ground tunnel to Inlet
Bay of Bhandup Complex Treatment Plant. The Raw water thus received has to
be treated and various impurities are removed to bring charactertics of received
water to potable water standards suitable for safe human consumption by
adopting following treatment process.

2. Pre chlorination at Yewai chlorination plant

Pre chlorination of raw water aids in killing pathogens, removal of colour, taste,
odour and oxidized iron. It assists the process of co agulation when raw water
contains organic matter and reduces Algal growth.

The installed capacity of this plant is 450 Kg/hour with an anticipated average
flow of 2240 MLD. The plant has the capacity to give a chlorine dose of 4
mg/litre.

Max Minimum

Kg/hour- mg/lit Kg/hour- mg/lit

Chlorine dose - 130 1.4 100 1.1

Chlorine demand - 0.7 ppm to 1 ppm 0.5 to 0.7 ppm

Chlorine withdrawal rate from

ton container at Ambient temp - 9 kg/hour
35 | P a g e
 Chlorine withdrawal with vaporizers
(water bath temp 85 to 90 deg) - 150 kg/hr/vaporizer

3. Inlet Bay

The total quantity of raw water received is exposed to atmosphere. This water
can be directed to Pretretors or Filter units depending on quality of raw water.
The raw water quality is 2 to 5 NTU in Fair season and goes up to 25 to 40
NTU in monsoon

4. Pretreatment

In this process, Alum/ Poly aluminum chloride(PAC) coagulant dosing is

administered at the rate of 6to 8 ppm in fair season and 15 to 25 ppm in rainy
season. This dosage acts as coagulant and also facilitates algae killing. Raw
sludge from settling tanks upto 5 to 15 % is also re circulated to accelerate the
flock formation. Detention time in clarifier is 2 – 2.5 hours .Desludging is done
at 4 hrs interval for 2 min per tank in fair season and at 4 hrs interval for 5 min
per tank in rainy season.

Number of Pretretors -------------------------------- 20 tanks

Sludge recirculation pumps 25 HP, 300 LIT/SEC--------- 24 Nos
Flow rate at settling------------------------------- 2.74 m/hour

5. Filtration

The filters installed are of rapid sand, declining rate of flow type. There are 72
filter beds containing sand depth of 0.90 meter with effective size of sand 0.90
mm. The balance sediments or floc from the settled water is removed in filter
beds.

Washing cycle - 27 hrs.

Backwash rate – 600 lit./sec.

Filtration rate – 300 lit/sec. (average)

Head loss in filtration process - 2.3 m (Max.)

36 | P a g e
6. Post chlorination and chlorine contact tank

Post chlorination is done to dis-infect and to reduce a algae growth in pipeline

and tanks. It is done in filter water outlets as well as in chlorine contact tank.
The chlorine contact tank is to provide adequate contact time for dissolving and
disinfection action of chlorine. The tank is of 82 M.L. capacity and provides 30
minutes contact time for a flow of 1910 MLD. The pre-chlorination plant
Bhandup Complex is equipped with installed capacity of 270 kg/hr. which will
give a dose of 3 mg/lit. for a flow of 1910 MLD.

Max. Min.

Chlorine dose Kg/hr – mg/lit Kg/hr. - mg/lit.

120 1.3 100 1.1

Chlorine withdrawal rate - 9 kg/hr./ton – container.

7. Pumping station

The function of pumping station is to pump treated water to Master Balancing

Reservoir and at the same time maintaining the level difference between inlet
bay water level and C.C.T water level to 2.3 meters. There is one needle type
bleed back valve provided to put water from rising mains to C.C.T to maintain
level differences required. There are 11 nos. of 3.3. KV, 620 KW., 246 MLD
main pumps and of 3N0s. 3.3. KV, 220 KW, 82 MLD. trimmer pumps
installed. Normally 8 nos. of 246 MLD. pumps with 1 or 2 trimmer pumps (82
MLD) run round the clock. This is the larges pump house operated and
maintained by Municipal Corporation.

The healthiness of relays is checked annually or after a fault departmentally.

8. 110 KV Sub-Station

The reliable electric supply is an essential feature for operation of Treatment

Plant. The electric supply is received at 110 KV for better reliability and is
stepped down to 3.3 KV for operating main pumping station. It is further
stepped down to 415 V for auxiliary supply. There are 2 nos. of 12.5 MVA
capacity 110 KV/3.3 KV step down transformers out of which one can take full
load of the plant. There are 2 nos. of 250 KVA capacity, 3.3. KV/450V step
down transformers, out of which 1 can take full auxiliary load. The 110 KV sub
station at Bhandup Complex is connected to receive supply from either of the
37 | P a g e
two sub stations of M/s. Tata Electric Co. for better reliability. In view of above
built in reliability and regular preventive maintenance programme, there is not
even a single occasion of interruption of treated water supply to city due to
sudden breakdown of equipment in sub station. There are relays provided at sub
station also to sense the faults and give alarm or isolate the equipment before
any permanent damage is caused to major equipment.

Fig. 1.13 showing water treatment plant at Bhandup, Mumbai

38 | P a g e
 Fig. 1.14 showing water treatment plant at Panjarapur

The project comprises the realization of a 455 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Panjrapur (peak
546,000 m3/d). The plant is one of the largest drinking water treatment plants in India. Particular
emphasis was put to the application of new technologies in clarification and filtration.

39 | P a g e
6.0 Challenges in Mumbai Water Supply System –
1. The total storage capacity of Mumbai‟s lakes is 14.80 lakh million liters. In
order to avoid water supply cuts, Mumbai‟s lakes must fill up to 14.47 lakh
million liters (MLD) on 30 September, which is the end of the monsoon season
in Mumbai.

2. Increasing Population – The population of mumbai was 7 lakh in 1860. The

present population of city is 12.5 million and water demand is around 4200
MLD. The present trend in growth of population indicates that by the year
2021, the population of Mumbai will be stabilised at 16 million. The water
demand will be around 5400 MLD. To meet this demand, the Government of
Maharashtra has allocated four sources viz. Middle Vaitarna (Completed in
2012) (455 MLD), Kalu (590 MLD) Gargai (455 MLD) Shai (1067MLD). On

40 | P a g e
 completion of these projects, the total water supply will be @ 5550 MLD.
Additional treatment plants and Master Balancing Reservoir (MBR) are
required to be provided for additional water supply of 1600 MLD. In the mean
time the old treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs and conveyance
system need major rehabilitation and strengthening.

3. Current Population of Mumbai, the lifeline of Maharashtra is estimated to be

over 12.5 million people. The city ranks at number 6 spot in terms of most
populated cities in the world. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its
potential to offer a higher standard of living attract migrants from all over India.

6.1 The population growth from 1951 to 2011 and future projections are
tabulated as under:

POPULATION GROWTH AND FUTURE TREND

CENSUS POPULATION IN THOUSAND

YEAR
EASTERN SUBURB WESTERN CITY TOTAL
SUBURB
1951 205 305 2572 3082

1961 503 878 2772 4153

1971 1095 1705 3072 5872

1981 2099 2858 3285 8242

1991 2801 3941 3155 9897

2001 3489 5091 3322 11902

2011 3822 5538 3144 12504

Table 1.7 showing population growth & future trend

41 | P a g e
 Fig. 1.15 showing Demand & supply

The above table representing the demand & supply ratio in every 10 years from
1951 to 2021. It was estimated that future population will increase at the rate of
approx 10% after every 10 years. As per Dr. Chitale committee the population in
island city of Mumbai was estimated to be decreased after 2001 but as per 2001
census the total population in island of city is found to be increased due to
redevelopment of old buildings, development of mill lands, slum rehabilitation
schemes which also resulted in increasing demand of water supply.

6.2 Demand of Water in the Mumbai City

Water demand

Items (mld)
Percent

Domestic Demand

Population 1796.76 46.96

Slums 1524.69 39.85

42 | P a g e
 Industrial
Demand

Municipal
industrial estates 3.56 0.09

Private industrial
estates 22.57 0.59

Permitted factories 271.28 7.09

Commercial
demand

Private center tics 1.60 0.04

Eating houses 0.50928 0.01

Municipal/private
markets 0.25 0.01

Public sanitary
convenience 3.32 0.09

Shops and
commercial
establishments 96.13 2.51

Motor garages 13.92 0.36

Cinema house and

theatres 1.18 0.03

Institutional
Demand

Municipal
hospitals/maternity
homes 0.477 0.01

Fire
hydrants/stations 55.95 1.46

Municipal/private
Schools 21.56 0.56

43 | P a g e
 Other
private/Government
hospitals 9.98 0.26

Municipal welfare
centres 0.56 0.01

Municipal
recreation centres 0.39 0.01

Government
welfare centres 0.38 0.01

Miscellaneous

Public ground and

playgrounds 0.63 0.02

Pay and park stands 0.01 0.001

Total 3825.89 100

Table 1.8 shows that, the demand of water for the total population is 46.96 percent.
For slums, the demand of water is 39.85 percent. The total demand of water from
domestic sources is 86.71 percent. The demand from industrial sector is very low
in the city. It is 7.7 percent only. The permitted factories have 271.23 mld demand.
Demand of water from commercial sector is very low as compared to domestic
demand. Commercial establishments and shops have less than 100 mld water
demand. Among the institutional sources, the demand from fire hydrants and
stations has 56 mld demand in the city. Municipal and private schools have 21.56
mld demand. Municipal recreation /welfare centres have less than 1 million liters a
day (mld) water demand. In the miscellaneous category, the public ground and
playground have 0.6mld water demand. The total estimated water demand in the
city is 3825.8 mld. It is approximately closer to the water demand (3900 mld) as
per MCGM.

44 | P a g e
6.3 Future Population Projection by Arithmetic Average Method

 Population projections in millions:

Years Population Increase in Population

1951 3 0

1961 4.2 1.2

1971 6 1.8

1981 8.3 2.3

1991 9.9 1.6

2001 11.98 2.08

2011 12.5 0.52

Arithmetic average of increase from the year 1951 to

2021 13.86 2011 i.e. 1.36 million per decade adopted for projecting
future population from year 2021 to 2061.

Table 1.9 showing population projections

Fig. 1.16 showing Percentage growth

45 | P a g e
6.4 Affordability limits - Mumbai has witnessed an economic boom since the
liberalization of 1991, the finance boom in the mid-nineties and the IT, export,
services and outsourcing boom in 2000s. Many of India's numerous
conglomerates (including Larsen and Toubro, State Bank of India (SBI), Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Tata Group, Godrej and Reliance), and
five of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based in Mumbai. This is
facilitated by the presence of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay
Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), and
financial sector regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI). Due to result of this attract migrants from all over India.

6.5 Old water supply system - The complex and widespread old water supply
distribution system, though being improved and strengthened from time to time
is difficult to maintain and develop further because of unplanned growth of the
city and uncontrolled influx. This has resulted to demand being always out-
weighing the supply.

Fig. 1.17 showing repair of major dia Tansa water main due to leakage

46 | P a g e
 Fig. 1.18 showing burst of major dia water mains
6.6 Underground Obstructions - Due to various other underground/ aboveground
utilities & encroachment, Leak–Detection process, repairs, laying of new pipe
lines is difficult and delayed in some areas, especially in City‟s market /
business areas and also in the suburbs. Tampering of water mains, unauthorized
construction of hutments on the pipelines makes maintenance and laying of new
water mains very difficult. There is a huge wastage due to leakage and pilferage
in slum colonies.

Fig. 1.19 showing cavity in road due to leakage

47 | P a g e
Fig. 1.20 showing underground obstruction during laying of water mains

Fig. 1.21 showing dewatering for repairing water main burst

48 | P a g e
6.7 Unauthorized Slum Development - An approximate of 30 lakhs of population
is living in unauthorized slums, those who came after 1.1.1995. Although these
people are not provided with legal water connection, but they are somehow
accessing the existing water supply. Exclusion of such a large population from
the legal frame is surely a revenue loss for the MCGM. Therefore some policy
decision is necessary to solve this problem. When redevelopment of any slum is
done accordingly the criteria for water supply increases and ultimately water
demand increases. The argument of MCGM is these new developments are
shearing the already scare water resource. The unauthorized slums in No-
Development zone, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), land belonging to
Railways, Airport Authority etc. and sprawling hutments on Forest land have
upset all the planning and created deficiency in existing distribution system.
Low subsidized rate of water for all categories of domestic consumers (Rs. 1.5
to RS 3/- per 1000 litres, against the production cost of (Rs. 4/- per 1000 litres)
results in huge gap in Expenditure & Revenue.

Fig. 1.22 showing slum & Trunk main passing through unauthorized slum in no-development zone

49 | P a g e
6.8 Contamination problem –
Contamination of water in pipe line is a major & day to day challenge being
face by BMC. Since the pipelines are not charged 24 hours (having 24 hours
water supply), the contamination takes place. In non supply hours the water
present surrounding the water main enter inside water main through cracks, un
plug holes or through service connections submerged in sewer line & damaged
service connections, which contaminate the water in pipe line during supply
hours.

Fig. 1.23 showing source of contamination in pipe line.

6.9 Difficulties in Leak detection of underground water mains - The

concretization of roads and construction of pavements are making the leak
detections difficult. Low pressure supply, low supply hours, encroachments on
the planned /proposed roads, irregular timings of the water supply, heavy traffic

50 | P a g e
 on the roads are the constrains making the leak detection difficult with
conventional „sounding‟ method. But actually these constrains can be
overcome, as leak detection can be done in the night avoiding traffic and
supplying water at high pressure for few hours. Irregular timings of supply
hours can‟t be constrain.
Mumbai contributes for about one-third of national ex-chequer; still the city
water supply does not get any subsidy either from GOM or GOI. Many State
and Central Government organizations have huge outstanding dues not cleared
in time. For an organization like BMC it is difficult to sustain in such financial-
crunch situation. Particularly when sources for about 2500 MLD are yet to be
developed with treatment and distribution facilities, major rehabilitation works
are inevitable and every penny is countable. GOI / GOM should seriously think
to subsidies & expedite various clearances of the water works projects of BMC
to save the untimely death of Industrial and Financial hub of India.

7.0 Measures taken by MCGM

1. In the year 1993, the Government of Maharashtra appointed an expert
committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.M.A. Chitale for advice long term
planning for augmentation of water supply to Mumbai taking into account its
growing population.
2. The Government of Maharashtra has accepted Dr.Chitale Committee
recommendations and has approved allotment of these sources. MCGM
therefore took up the ambitious Middle Vaitarna Dam Project, as an immediate
source of water supply. Middle Vaitarna Dam Project has been completed
successfully. This dam has been acclaimed as 9th fastest RCC Dam in the
World by International Committee of Large Dams (ICOLD). Supply of capacity
at the dam is 455 MLD and commissioned in 2014.

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Fig. 1.24 showing Middle Vaitarna Dam during construction.

Fig. 1.25 showing Middle Vaitarna Dam after construction.

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3. The description of works carried out under Middel Vaitarna Project Scheme are
as follows :-
a. Construction of Roller Compacted Concrete Dam.
b. Tunnel between Modak Sagar to Bel Nallah including Shaft.
c. Procurement and laying pipe line from Aghai to Gundovali.
d. Water Treatment plant at Bhandup Complex.
e. Pumping station at Bhandup Complex.
f. Master balance reservoir at Bhandup Complex.
4. All these components has been executed in phases. After completion of the
ongoing IV Mumbai Middle Vaitarna Project, Municipal Corporation of Brihan
Mumbai (MCBM) has proposed development of Gargai & Pinjal Dams &
Damanganga-Pinjal river link Project as per the recommendations of Chitale
Committee. Both the sources have been allocated to Municipal Corporation of
Brihan Mumbai (MCBM) by the Government of Maharashtra (GOM) and the
permissions to develop Pinjal & Gargai Project has also been received from
GOM. Government of India has proposed to transfer surplus water from
Damanganga basin to the extent of 1586 Mld. to proposed Pinjal reservoir for
domestic water needs of Brihan Mumbai. The Detailed Project Report for the
same is under preparation by National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
After completion of Gargai project water supply to Mumbai is expected to
augment by 440 MLD & additional 865 MLD water yield will be added to
Mumbai‟s water supply after completion of Pinjal project. After completion of
these projects total water supply to Mumbai is expected to augment by 2891
MLD (440 MLD + 865 MLD + 1586 MLD).

7.1 INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY

1. SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition)
SCADA is introduced about 10-years back (in the year 2000) for monitoring
and controlling water supply parameters from source to treatment plant and

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 further to service reservoirs. The real time parameters such as levels, turbidity,
residual Chlorine, pressure & flow are expected to be available for effective
and efficient management of the utility.

2. AQUA BILLING
The water supply billing system has been computerized. The procedure has
been streamlined and made more consumer friendly. The category wise / rate
wise demand / receipt data is now available for any given time.

3. TUNNELS
Due to many underground utilities and unavailability of space to lay water
mains the concept of underground tunnels / micro tunnels and for
rehabilitation / augmentation of old pipelines is implemented. The first Under
Creek Kasheli Tunnel (1500M 3500mm diameter) was constructed in 1972.
Later on Ruparel - Race course-Malbar Hill, Kings‟Circle – Shiwadi,
Bhandup – Malad – Charkop tunnels of 3000mm diameter totaling to 30 Km
were constructed. Recently Veravali – Versova – Yrai Road (2200mm-6 Km)
Tunnel has been commissioned. Currently Malbar –SK Patil – Cross Maidan
(2200mm- 5Km), Maroshi – Ruparel (300mm – 12Km), Modak Sagar – Y-
Branch (3500mm-7Km) and Gudavali- Kapur Bawadi – Bhandup (12Km –
5500mm) tunnels are being bored.
The Powai- Veravali (2200mm – 2Km), Powai – Ghatkopar (2200mm – 3Km)
and Amar mahal – Trombay (2750mm – 5Km) and TilakNagar – Wadala –
Naigaon (5 Km) are proposed Tunnels for water transmission within the
City.

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Fig. 1.26 showing construction of Marol-Maroshi tunnel for water transportation.

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4. AMR METERS
AMR enabled consumer Meters are being installed on consumer connections.
The contract includes reading of Meters and maintenance of same for 5-Years.

5. FLOW METERS
Flow Meters are installed on Reservoir outlets and in zones to assess the
ward-wise / zone-wise water supply and to correlate with billing & revenue
collections.

6. WATER DISTRIBUTION IMPRIOVEMENT PROGRAMME

This is a combined effort for overall improvement of the system under the
guidance of Experts in the field, for suggesting and re-setting NRW reduction
procedures, introducing modern water distribution techniques (SCADA, GIS
& MIS), capacity building & measures for improving Customer service levels.

Scope of Water Distribution Management & NRW Reduction

1. Digital mapping of the utility on GIS compatible base maps.
2. Hydraulic modeling of the entire network.
3. Hydraulic model of DMA, each comprising about 1000 connections.
4. 100% Consumer metering, Bulk metering and District Metering set-up.
5. Water balance and estimation of NRW/UFW
6. Leakage detection, Repairs / Rehabilitation / Replacement plan
7. Water balance. If NRW within limits, implement 24X7 supply.
8. Introduce pressure regulating devices for equitable distribution.
9. Introduce / upgrade Distribution management tool „SCADA‟
10.The staff to be trained during progress of the work to develop in-house
capabilities to continue with the set procedures.
11.Service level improvement & development of efficient complaint
redressal system.
12.Rational tariff with Efficient Billing & Collection.

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Fig. 1.27 showing laying of major dia (1500 mm dia) water main to improve water supply in Mumbai

Further the MCGM‟s prime initiatives are recommendations about the adoption of
new technology comparable to international standards. At the same time lots of
commitments are done by MCGM to solve the problem. In this section MCGM is
promising to adopt of measures such as Water Audit, adoption of G.I.S., up
gradation of SCADA system, Installation of flow Meters and recruitment of
deficient staff.

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8.0 Solutions to problems of water supply system in Mumbai

The Water Utility Department of the MCGM too faces innumerable difficulties
basically because the demand for services outstrips supply. The
planned/unplanned development and growing slums require increase in the
length of distribution network, besides carrying on regular maintenance work
of pipelines and attending to frequent breakdown on a war footing. Under the
economy measures, no new recruitments are made, while workload keeps
mounting with the expansion of the services; this results in low efficiency and
poor performance of the staff. The Department is not able to handle the
complaints from the citizens. Often, materials for repairs and maintenance are
lacking. The field difficulties are even graver, especially in thickly populated
slums. Often, the number of water pipes run in bunches through narrow
passages and side gutters in slums. Under these circumstances, it is extremely
difficult to locate the fault or leakage and fix problems, especially in water
contamination cases. The concretization of roads has added its share of woes
for the Maintenance Department. Though a systematic approach for diversion
of existing water mains and other utilities prior to concretization was
necessary, it was not given any thought in some cases. So, spotting and
repairing leakages or pipeline bursts is very difficult, as it requires breaking
through the concrete. Attending to contamination problems in the mains below
the concrete roads is also difficult. It has also become very difficult to take
action even after detecting cases of pilferage or theft as the staff is threatened.
During the action, entire labour force has to leave aside their work and attend
to the problem. MCGM officials hope that the citizens become aware of these
hardships in bringing water from 100km and distributing in complex
environment so that they can lend a hand and fulfill their duty of paying for the
services and conserve scarce water resources. Presently Mumbai is facing the
problems of overall availability and equitable distribution of water,

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 contamination problems due to aging of water mains, intermittent water supply
and unaccounted for water etc.
8.1 Strengthening of Old dams - Some of the existing water supply DAMS
of Mumbai have completed their useful service life. Viz. Vehar(1880),
Tulsi(1892), Tansa(1884) & Modak Sagar(1954). Even though measures to
strengthen the Dams have been taken, because of ageing these dams may need
major rehabilitation or reconstruction, requiring longer duration of closure of
sources.
8.2 STRENGTHENING TANSA DAM
Connected with the Vaitarna-Tansa Scheme is the important task of
strengthening the Tansa dam which holds what has hitherto been Bombay's
biggest source of water supply. Some twenty years ago, it was first discovered
that this dam, built of lime and mortar in 1892, was being subjected to uplift
pressure. Later, it was found that a heavy flood combined with this pressure
could affect the stability and safety of the dam. Many proposals were
considered for strengthening the structure; but ultimately the ' prestressing '
method evolved by M A Coyne, of Paris, was considered to be the most
desirable for several reasons. In essence, this method, known as the Coyne
method, is as simple as tying down the dam structure to the foundation rock
with high tensile steel wire ropes or cables by the ' prestressing ' method. Holes
are drilled through the body of the dam near the upstream face into the
foundation rock to secure a good, effective anchorage. The portion of the hole
in the foundation rock is slightly reamed out and enlarged to obtain shoulder
effect. Specially prepared parallel stranded ropes or" cables, made from about 5
mm diameter high tensile steel wires, arc then lowered into the holes. The
lower portion of the steel wire rope or cable is enlarged to obtain the necessary
bond. The wire rope or cable is then grouted firmly in the foundation rock. The
top end of the wire rope or cable is fixed either in cast iron or reinforced
cement concrete heads at the top of the dam. These heads are then raised by
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 hydraulic jacks to apply the necessary compression to the dam. When the final
loading tests have been made, the steel wire rope or cable is grouted with
cement to prevent it from rusting. The method of ' prestressing ' has been
adopted both on grounds of economy and soundness of design, and the work
has been entrusted to Messrs .Patel Engineering Co Ltd and Cementation Co
Ltd at a total cost of Rs 58.96 lakhs. The work was started in 1952 &
completed in 1955.
8.3 Water supply having 24 x 7 system - Service level benchmarking by
Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India directives are that all
the urban local bodies have to achieve 24 x 7 water supplies in their respective
cities. To achieve this Bench Mark and convert the intermittent supply pattern
into 24 x 7 water supply pattern, some additional quantity of water is initially
required during transition period. The leakage losses would be brought down
to the specified level of 20% of water supply by adopting Leak Control
measures. 24 x 7 water supplies would be beneficial as water will be available
for 24 hours at tap. This will also help in elimination of contamination in water
supply. The longer hours of supply will also facilitate equitable water
distribution. The 24 x 7 water supply system will help in enhancement of
environmental conditions resulting in better health conditions especially of
urban poor. This will also help in preventing water borne diseases and up-
liftment of life of urban poor.
8.4 Alternative to High Cost Solution
While population has increased 6.5 times from 2million in 1948 to nearly
13million now, water supply increased five-fold from 541mld to 2,950mld
during these five decades. The population is projected to rise by 25%, to
16million by 2021 and potential to augment water supply is more than double
at 6,382mld by developing sources in Vaitarna and Ulhas river basins. But
these are costly propositions both in monetary as well as human and
environmental terms.
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8.5 Rain Water Harvesting & Ground Water Use - Earlier, rainwater was
the main source of water supply and it was collected in tanks. People used
to measure the height of collected rainwater in the tank and accordingly
decide how much to draw from it to make it last over the year, recalls Kisan
Mehta. Now, with piped water supply, this traditional way of conservation of
water has been forgotten. Mumbai was blessed with number of tanks like
Mumba Devi, Manamala, Babula, Govalia, Gilder, Banganga, etc. These
tanks, wells and lakes were sources of water then. After the pipelined water
came, these traditional water sources fell into disuse and got closed with idol
emersion and land grabbing businesses. If these old methods of rainwater
harvesting are restored, perhaps, there will be no need for future water supply
schemes on Vaitarna and Ulhas river basins. There are many other benefits
from rainwater harvesting. The groundwater table will rise, water quality will
improve, salinity in water will reduce, cracks in the buildings will be
minimized, etc.
According to Groundwater Survey & Development Agency (GSDA), the area
occupied by phreatic aquifers (porous rock layers transmitting underground
water) is limited between the seacoast and hill ranges in Mumbai and scope
for recharge from rainfall is limited. Therefore, it is advisable to draw well
water to empty these aquifers for natural rainwater recharge. Also, deep
aquifers can yield water for meeting the growing demand for water and these
can artificially be recharged with rainwater. Wherever there is heavy
withdrawal of bore well water, problem of seawater ingress is likely to arise
and, hence, it is necessary to recharge the wells from which water is drawn.
Industrial effluents, open drains and open defecation causes polluted water to
seep into groundwater affecting its quality. Rainwater recharge can improve
the deteriorating water quality and reduce salinity.
Rainwater harvesting by capturing runoff from the rooftops / terraces and
surrounding surface water will not only increase ground water recharge and
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 stop ingress of sea water but will get Mumbai out of its monsoon floods
problem. Water harvesting in Mumbai will reduce storm water discharge as
well as reduce the load of sewerage treatment, thus controlling the dreadful
monsoon floods. Rainwater can be stored in tanks or can be recharged into the
groundwater. However, there is no space in Mumbai for residential
complexes to provide for tanks to store rainwater. Hence, recharging the
groundwater is the right solution.
There are many agencies that can give guidance and consultation to citizens'
groups who would like to set up the rain water harvesting system in their
locality. The bore well water then can be used for washing and flushing
purposes, if the water quality is not suitable for the drinking purpose. Some
rain water harvesting agencies are:
• National Water Harvesters Network (NWHN).
• Centre for Environmental Science, Delhi.
• Central Ground Water Authority, Nagpur.
• Groundwater Survey & Development Agency, Thane & Pune.

8.6 Rainwater Harvesting Potential In Mumbai - Is It Viable?

To look at potential of rainwater harvesting it is essential to look at the
climate, especially rainfall pattern . The climate is equable with very little
seasonal fluctuation. January, the coolest month, has a mean temperature of 24
deg C May, the warmest month, averages 30 deg C Seasonal fluctuations of
humidity and rainfall are more significant than those of temperature. The
average annual rainfall is 2,170 mm (85 in). Because of the southwest monsoon
winds, more than 95 percent of the annual rainfall occurs during the four-month
period of June through September. Mumbai also has high humidity, with an
annual average of 87 percent.
Area of Mumbai – 437 sq kms
Annual avg .rainfall – 2000 mm
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 Total rainwater falling over Mumbai
= 437 x 1000000 x 2000 lit
= 874000000000
= 2394.52 MLD
Present water supply = 2900 MLD
Even if we assume 70 % of the area to be developed, 50 % of it to be roofed
and we collect 70 % of the water falling over it, the quantity of rainwater
that can be harvested works out to 589.34 MLD. This is a sizeable quantity
compared to water supply to Mumbai.

8.7 Desalination - Mumbai can make use of abundant availability of

seawater, desalinate for potable water and thus, augment water supply instead
of going in for complex method of constructing dams & reservoirs and
supporting that system. According to Arvind Deshmukh, Chief Engineer,
BARC, investment in a desalination plant of capacity 10-20 MGD is
Rs.15crore compared to Rs10crore for conventional water supply system. But,
the saving in terms of environmental protection and human misery is
tremendous. With every dam, there is submergence of cultivated land and
forest and the resultant displacement of local population. The record of
rehabilitation of project affected persons is well known.
(MCGM is planning to set up a desalination plant. The cost of water from
the plant would be in the range of Rs 50 to 70 per kilo litre of water
according to available technology. Current expenditure on water is Rs 7.47
per kilo litre including the cost of purification. Recently the MCGM had
invited applications from private consultants for conducting a feasibility
study to set up desalination plants having a capacity of 100 million litres
along the city‟s coastline. The water could cost around Rs48 per 1,000
litres, and the land required for setting up the plant would be about 60
acres.)
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8.8 Water Recycling - About 80% of distributed water is discharged as
wastewater. If a part of wastewater is treated and re-used, it can cover the
projected demand deficiency. It can also prevent encroaching on a source
which can be spared for other water-scarce areas. An example of water
recycling can be seen at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus of the Central Railway
which set up a water recycling plant of 0.2million capacity in 1999 at a cost
of Rs24lakh. The operational cost of the 0.2million-litre water treatment plant
is Rs10 per kilolitre which is less than the commercial water charges of Rs18.
The used water is collected and treated for cleaning concrete aprons of the
railway platforms thus saving potable water.
8.9 Water Conservation- About 71% of the earth's surface is covered with
water but 97% of this is seawater, 2% is locked in polar ice caps and glaciers
and hardly 1% of water is available as freshwater. Hence, we need to
conserve every drop of water. We have got to develop the habit of using less
water and stopping wasteful and luxurious use of water.
8.10 Given below is a checklist of Dos and Don'ts.
1. Use leak proof cocks, preferably aerated ones, with periodical replacement
of washers.
2. Do not throw away stored water; water never gets stale.
3. Use a glass to rinse after brushing of teeth. It needs only half a litre of water.
Keeping the washbasin tap open while brushing teeth wastes at least four
litres of water.
4. Aerate shower; low flow showerheads reduce water use by 50% or more.
5. Bathing needs only 20litres of water. Shower bath needs at least 80litres and
tub bath 110litres of water. Remember the average daily water need for all
purposes is 135litres per day per person but availability is hardly 90litres.
6. Washing clothes require 40litres of water; keeping the tap running during
washing consumes 250litres of water.
7. Water plants with rinse water from the washing machine.
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8. Sprinkling water on the ground needs 10litres of water but hosepipe
watering consumes 50litres of water.
9. Throwing glassful water after just few sips wastes 300ml water. Pour only
as much water, as you want, in the glass.
10. Use a bucket to wash the car, not a hose.
Ideally, therefore, the housing complexes should have proper rain water
harvesting system and draw groundwater for non-drinking purposes. Even if
water from bore-wells is used for toilet flushing (50lpcd) and cleaning
(10lpcd), the load on the piped water supply will come down to 50%. This
means that the same piped water supply will be sufficient for double the
population. Recycling of the water used for washing is possible by re-using
it for watering the garden, further bringing down the load on the overworked
system. Desalination of sea water will obliterate the need to set up newer
projects that require transporting water from 100 km at a high capital cost;
it will also make that resource available to other needy water scarce areas.

9.0 Example of Israel -

Israel is bordered by Lebanon in the north, Jordan and Palestine (the West
Bank) in the east, Syria in the north-east, the Mediterranean Sea to the west
and Palestine (the Gaza Strip) and Egypt to the south-west. Israel covers a
total area of 20,770 km2, of which 440 km2is fresh water. The two main
water bodies are Lake Kinneret, a freshwater lake covering 166 km 2, and
the hyper-saline, 605 km2Dead Sea, which is shared with the Palestinian
West Bank and Jordan.
Water supply and sanitation in Israel are intricately linked to the historical
development of Israel. Because rain falls only in the winter, and largely in
the northern part of the country, irrigation and water engineering are
considered vital to the country's economic survival and growth. Large scale
projects to desalinate seawater, direct water from rivers and reservoirs in the
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 north, make optimal use of groundwater, and reclaim flood overflow and
sewage have been undertaken. Among them is the National Water Carrier,
carrying water from the country's biggest freshwater lake, the Sea of Galilee,
to the northern Negev desert through channels, pipes and tunnels. Israel's
water demand today outstrips available conventional water resources. Thus,
in an average year, Israel relies for about half of its water supply on
unconventional water resources, including reclaimed water and desalination.
A particularly long drought in 1998–2002 had prompted the government to
promote large-scale seawater desalination.
1. Surrounded by and populated with deserts, Israel has famously created a
green, agricultural oasis out of its arid landscape. This was made possible by
the incredible advances that Israeli scientists and researchers have been
making since Israel gained its independence in 1948. Israel‟s first Prime
Minister David Ben Gurion had a vision of “making the desert bloom”,
which catapulted water technology research onto the national agenda, where
it has remained ever since.
2. The Israeli water industry is widely acknowledged as a world leader,
especially with its market-leading, entrepreneurial technologies in the areas
of desalination, water treatment, drip irrigation and water security.
3. Today, water poor countries in Asia and Africa are already benefiting from
Israeli-driven water technologies. In China alone, huge desalination plants
based on Israeli water technology are providing water to millions of people
by combining innovation with sustainability. Israel is proposing
collaboration with countries worldwide on existing and new water-
technologies.
4. Israel may be a desert country with a serious lack of water, but what‟s not
lacking is the ingenuity and creativity to make up for it with breakthrough
water technologies that are helping people around the world maximize and
enrich the water they have.
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9.1 Water challenges in Israel
Israel has been facing water challenges since the country was first
established. Policy, innovation and management have helped the country
address and in some cases overcome some of these challenges. Today, the
main challenges regarding water are inefficient water use, growing
demand and urbanization, and climate change. In addition, there are the
political aspects of water management between Israel and its neighbours
that still need to be addressed, specifically those between Israel and
Palestine.
1. Overcoming the challenges of an arid climate and scarce natural water
reserves has always been a vital necessity for the growth of Israel‟s
population and economy since the founding of the state. This has led to
continuous improvements in Israel‟s water sector, through innovations in
technologies, practices and long-term plans.
2. Currently, Israel annually requires almost a billion cubic meters per year
(MCM/year) more water than average natural replenishment provides.
Nevertheless, average annual sustainable natural water consumption has
been achieved, while nevertheless providing for all of the country‟s water
needs, via innovations that have involved overcoming extensive
engineering, biological and logistic challenges.

9.2 These innovations include:

1. A visionary, nationwide water conveyance system, constructed from

1955-64, to deliver water from the natural reserves in the north
throughout the country, including the dry south;
2. Treatment and reuse of almost all of the nation‟s domestic waste water
for irrigation in the agricultural sector;

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3. Highly advanced irrigation methods such as moisture-sensitive
automated drip irrigation directly to plant roots;
4. Development of new crop strains that provide 10 times higher yield
with the same amount of water;
5. Pioneering work in drilling exceptionally deep wells, reaching 1,500
metres and pump settings as high as 500 metres;
6. Large-scale desalination of seawater and brackish groundwater;
7. Controls of algae blooms in reservoirs for reused water;
8. Innovative, multi-tiered water safety methods, early warning systems
and other technologies;
9. Innovative methods for minimizing non-revenue water loss.

9.3 Remedies/Solution adopted & invented by Israel

1. Reducing water use

In order to maintain water security in Israel, it is crucial that water use

is reduced. The availability of natural water supplies is expected to
decline by 10-15% due to climate change. However, the expected
increase in population from 7.6 million people in 2015 to 15.6 million
in 2050 will put significant stress on the resource unless it is managed
properly.

The Water Authority has outlined a number of management policies to

reduce waste in all sectors. These policies include investing in
education, increasing tariffs, upgraded water metering, and encouraging
the use of brackish water and effluent in industry and agriculture.
Additionally, the government continues to support technological
advancements in water-efficient agriculture.

2. Sanitation and wastewater treatment

Wastewater in Israel is regulated in three ways:

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 a. Prevention: includes maintenance of wastewater treatment plants;
eliminating, or at least reducing, industrial contaminants from
sewage and effluent; and enforcing laws and rules.
b. Monitoring: involves assessing groundwater conditions and
measuring groundwater quality. A highly developed monitoring
network helps detect early signs of groundwater pollution.
c. Remediation: provides instructions on how to address pollution.
In 2012, approximately 95% of the population in Israel was
connected to the sewerage network. The population collectively
produces around 507 MCM/yr of sewage, of which 468 MCM/yr is
treated and 400 MCM/yr is reused for irrigation.

3. Water Resources
Israel draws its water from three sources: surface water, groundwater
and alternative sources (desalination and wastewater reuse). Currently,
surface and groundwater still form the main sources of water supply
(Fig. 4). However, recent developments in desalination and wastewater
reuse technology herald a shift away from natural to alternative sources
so that Israel will be able to meet future demand and protect its natural
water resources. On average, Israelis dispose of about 93 m3 of fresh
water per person per year.

4. Desalination
In Israel, desalination plants using reverse osmosis technology treat
seawater for drinking-water purposes and brackish water for
agriculture. Today, desalination accounts for approximately 42% of the
country‟s drinking-water needs.
Desalinated water production has increased significantly since the first
desalination plant in Ashkelon started supplying water to the grid in
2005, with production increasing from 277 MCM/yr in 2010 to around

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 600 MCM/yr in 2014. Going forward, the target is to produce 705
MCM/yr of desalinated water by 2020 and 1.75 billion cubic metres per
year (BCM/yr) by 2040. Desalination is considered essential to
maintain a sustainable water supply for the population. The Israeli
government also plans to use desalinated water to replenish declining
natural water resources. Most desalination plants in Israel are privately
owned. While the energy requirement for reverse osmosis desalination
is high, Israel is maximizing on energy recovery and reducing
production costs by powering desalination plants with natural gas.

5. Wastewater
Wastewater reuse is an important source of water for agriculture in
Israel. Wastewater that is treated and used for irrigation is known as
effluent. Of the 507 MCM/yr of wastewater produced, 468 MCM/yr
(93%) is treated and 410 MCM/yr (85%) is reused in
irrigation. Domestic sewage is collected and treated by Israel‟s national
water utility, Mekorot, or by private companies. Private wastewater
treatment facilities normally operate in smaller outlying communities
whereas Mekorot treats sewage from the larger urban centres. Israel
aims to more than double the amount of wastewater that is produced for
the agricultural sector by 2050.

9.4 Israeli Startup Prevents Water Leaks Before They Happen

1. In much of the world, aging infrastructure causes cities to lose a
staggering amount of water to leakage before it can ever reach a home
or business. In 2014, NPR reported that a sixth of America‟s treated
water is lost to leakage, totaling 2.1 trillion gallons annually. Forbes
tallied losses exceeding 30 percent. Even higher leakage rates are
reported in some U.S. municipalities and, of course, worldwide.

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2. One Israeli startup says its technology can not only detect leaks as
small as an eighth of an inch, but it can also locate potential weak spots
in pipes before they even sprout a leak.
3. Aquarius Spectrum is a startup located just north of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Founded in 2009 by David Solomon, the company develops both
sensors and software that can work together to monitor a water utility‟s
pipe system and send alerts at the very moment a leak starts to develop.

Fig 1.28 One of Aquarius Spectrums water sensors

9.5 Real Time leak detection technology

1. Real-time leak detection is a relatively new technology. For decades,
water utilities really could not do much more than be reactive in the
event that a pipe leaked, and were often not aware of such a problem
until a water main burst. Then 20 to 30 years ago, listening sticks
emerged, which allowed civil engineers to listen to underground pipes
in order to gauge whether a leak possibly existed. Data would be
collected on a regular basis and then be dumped into a spreadsheet or
database. But while that advancement helped speed up the pipe repair
process, the monitoring of leaks was still an inexact science. Typically,
if a leak was detected, entire swathes of land would have to be dug out

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 and on average, the cost to excavate land in order to repair pipes on
average costs about $1 million a mile.
2. Aquarius Spectrum‟s sensors take much of the guesswork out of leak
detection. Pipe monitoring systems can be installed on pipes, hydrants
and valve pits. Every night at the same time, those sensors take acoustic
measurements and then send them to a cloud server. The company‟s
software then uses correlation in order to determine the distance of a
leak from a sensor. By analyzing these sounds, Aquarius Spectrum‟s
technology can pinpoint the location of a leak with an average
deviation of 1 percent.
3. In other words, if a leak is determined to be 100 feet away from a
sensor, Aquarius Spectrum claims that in the end, an underground
leak‟s location will be off by only one foot at most. “When you can
find leaks that small, you don‟t have to react in an emergency manner,
or work on weekends or holidays,”

Fig 1.29 Bursting pipes are just one way in which water utilities lose revenue.

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9.6 Israel’s Utilis uses satellite photos to help water utilities find costly
leaks in their systems and keep revenues from going down the
drain.

1. The World Bank estimates that, on average, 30 percent of a utility‟s

drinking water (up to 50% in places with old or unreliable
infrastructure) is “non-revenue,” lost mainly to leakage. The collective
price tag is billions of dollars per year worldwide, not to mention the
environmental concern of wasted water.
2. Israeli companies such as TaKaDu, Aquarius Spectrum and the Group
have come to the rescue with smart water solutions used across the
world with the goal of reducing the estimated 46 billion liters of
drinking water lost every day.
3. Now there is a new approach from the Israeli startup
company Utilis that uses existing satellite imagery to pinpoint
underground leaks.
4. Requiring no software or hardware installation at the utility, nor any
manpower on the ground, the Utilis solution uses spectral aerial
imaging from satellite-mounted sensors to spot leakage in distribution
pipes over thousands of square kilometers at once.
5. The images are processed with a patented set of algorithms that detect
the unique “signature” of drinking water (as opposed to, say, rainwater
or swimming-pool water). The customer gets a detailed graphic leakage
report overlaid on a map with streets, pipes and information on the size
of the leak.
6. It‟s like the difference between a doctor diagnosing a problem by
symptoms and an MRI seeing where the problem actually is, “While
other smart water technologies look for signs of water, in this it can be
seen the water leaking under the ground.”

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Israel may be a desert country with a serious lack of water, but what’s
not lacking is the ingenuity and creativity to make up for it with
breakthrough water technologies that are helping people around the
world maximize and enrich the water they have.

Surprisingly, Israel today has a water surplus. In just over a decade,

Israel has opened five major desalination plants that produce a total of
approximately 600 million cubic meters a year, with more than half of
the water for domestic use. The newest, Sorek, is the world’s largest
seawater desalination plant. Around 70 percent of homes get at least
some of their water from desalination

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10.0 Conclusion
The Mumbai problem with water isn't that it's disappearing. The water is
there. The problem is that in many areas, growing populations have less and
less water per capita because of crumbling infrastructure leading to
considerable leaking; short-sighted and improper water management,
leading to egregious waste, and polluted groundwater.

To conclude, I would say to improve Mumbai‟s water supply system, what

is needed is :
1. As per the recommendations of Chitale Committee, the project of Gargai &
Pinjal daams & Damanganaga-Pinjal river link need to complete on priority
to meet the water demand of Mumbai. Both the sources have been allocated
to Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai by the Government of
Maharashtra (GOM) and the permissions to develop Pinjal & Gargai Project
has also been received from GOM.
2. SCADA is being use in MCGM since 10 years for monitoring and
controlling water supply parameters from source to treatment plant and
further to service reservoirs. However, SCADA system in MCGM is still
under development. For effective and efficient management the full fledge
development & implementation of SKADA is the need of time.
3. Effective & equitable water distribution to the end user is an important task
to be handled by any municipal organization. For effective supply demand
management concrete measures need to be adopted. Installation of zone wise
flow meters at appropriate locations to facilitate regular water balance audit
analysis, aimed at facilitating equitable water supply & leak detection.
4. Strengthening of leak detection department is to be done on priority. So,
that leak detection can be improvised to avoid water loss. The technological
advancement is requiring to strengthening the leak detection department.
Advance training to staff & advanced instrument of an international level
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 can be adopted to overcome the barriers in leak detection. A mass scale
programme of detection of leakage and arresting the same to save the water
on the backdrop of increasing gap between demand and supply of water,
inequitable distribution and delay in availability of new water supply source
is to be undertaken on priority.
5. Reconstruction of Old reservoirs to strengthen the Mumbai water supply
System. Expansion & strengthening of water delivery system to improve the
Mumbai water supply is one of the task to be implemented on propriety.
Replacement & Rehabilitation of old water mains to improve efficiency of
water supply system.
6. Rain water harvesting, if these old methods of rainwater harvesting are
restored, perhaps, there will be no need for future water supply schemes on
river basins. There are many other benefits from rainwater harvesting. The
groundwater table will rise, water quality will improve, salinity in water will
reduce, cracks in the buildings will be minimized, etc.
7. Cleanliness of existing wells and providing tube wells can be done to
develop alternative sources.
8. Consumer awareness about the usage of water and adoption of
technologies to reduce the water use.
9. Continuous need for support of innovative methods, technologies,
holistic water resource management and strategies for sustainably providing
for the water needs.

11.0 Scope of future study –

Water is the basic need of living being on this planet. For Mumbai's
luxurious need of water a well planed long term strategy for future is
required. Hence there is a lot of scope for future study. Comprehensive
efforts from Government and its various agencies, as well as from common
public are required. Study in the field of quality of water to the end user,

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 strengthening of old reservoirs, Rehabilitation & replacement of old water
mains, improvisation of water distribution system, effective leak detection
techniques, innovation and use of modern technology, innovation and public
awareness to encourage efficient use of water to avoid water losses etc. can
be done.

12.0 References –

1. MCGM white paper

2. Annual publication on “Water” published on world water day every year by
World water day committee, Municipal Engineers Association, Mumbai &
Brihan Mumbai Licenced plumbers Association.
3. Water works department of MCGM
4. Website MCGM http://www.mcgm.gov.in
5. Various RTI‟s related to water department available on MCGM website
6. Various Newspapers
7. Information from website of The Times Of Israel
http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/a-solution-to-the-water-crisis/
8. Website of Israel government
http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/WaterResources/Pages/default.aspx
9. Website of various medias in Israel
10.Article from following website having online media publications
https://www.israel21c.org/spotting-water-leaks-by-satellite/
11.Personal experience of working in water works department of MCGM.

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