Using borewell water for drinking under scanner

Even as Mumbai is reeling under acute water shortage, it has been found that water fetched from borewells have been supplied by mafias for drinking purposes in the city. Taking serious note of this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started issuing notices to offenders, who have been found selling borewell water for drinking purposes.

Officials said the civic body allows people to dig a borewell only if they adhere to certain rules and conditions such as restriction on transporting the water and using it only for non-drinking purpose. While seeking the permission, the person has to produce an undertaking assuring to abide by these conditions.

“Borewell water is not safe for drinking. Hence, the municipal conditions strictly mention that this water has to be used for non-drinking purposes such as car washing, flushing and gardening. However, at some places we have found that water fetched from borewells has been sold by owners to water mafias for drinking purposes,” said a senior civic official.

The BMC has started sending notices to parties for violating the undertaking submitted by them. “They have been found selling water from their borewells to water mafias, who in turn supply it for drinking purpose. We have directed the offenders to rectify the discrepancies and immediately stop transportation of water from the site,” he added.

One such notice was sent to an owner of Raju Motor Garage at JB Nagar, Andheri (east) by the pest control office of K-East ward (The Asian Age has the notice copy) which specifies that failing to rectify, the permission issued for the borewell would be revoked immediately and legal action taken under the municipal act.

In the recently held budget session of the legislature, the state government has vowed to take strict action against tankers, if they are found selling drinking water illegally in Mumbai.

Tankers can be used only for supplying non-drinking water.

A committee of civic health and water distribution department will be formed to locate tankers supplying potable water in the city and action will be taken against them. Civic officials will also not be spared if they are found supporting these tankers, the government had stated.