Mumbai: BMC Orders 24x7 Action On Contaminated-Water Complaints After 1,514 Cases In 2026

Mumbai, October 1, 2026: After receiving 1,514 reports of contaminated water in the first eight months of 2026, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has mandated 24/7 action on such complaints. According to the Environment Status Report (ESR), contamination levels decreased to 0.28% in 2025-26 from 0.46% in the previous two years, but the problem persists in certain areas.

During Wednesday's Standing Committee meeting, the BMC administration unveiled a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that requires a collaborative response from various departments to tackle water contamination.

The SOP outlines a coordinated approach involving ward officials, leak-detection teams, sewerage and drainage departments, solid waste management and health officials. Responsibilities range from receiving complaints and tracing contamination sources to repairing leaks and verifying the safety of the water. B ward, encompassing Dongri and Umarkhadi, experienced the highest contamination rate at 4.03% in 2025-26, an increase from 3.2% in the previous year and 1% in 2023-24.

Additionally, H-East, comprising Bandra East, Khar East, and Santacruz East, saw a surge in contamination to 3.11%, up from 1.6% and 1.7% in the prior years.

A major concern under the new SOP is leaking service connections, which pose a significant contamination risk. These connections, often found in drains, house gullies, and marshy soil, can corrode and leak, allowing impure water to infiltrate the network. This risk escalates when drains become overloaded. The BMC advises residents and local representatives to strain and boil their water until the contamination issue is resolved.

Health officials will monitor the affected regions and administer appropriate medical care as necessary.

During the Standing Committee presentation, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Project) Abhijit Bangar highlighted the ongoing efforts of BMC staff in resolving reported leakages. However, he emphasized that augmenting manpower could further enhance the efficiency in addressing water-leakage problems. For comprehensive details on property deals in Mumbai and its neighboring areas, interested parties are directed to visit https://budgetproperties.in/.