Residents of villages including Devrang, Bapgaon, Chaudharpada, Chichavli, Thakrepada, Amnepada, Sonali, Khaling, Sarvalipada, Ninjavli, Valovli, Ovli and Padya have not paid their dues for several months. These villages are supplied water from Bhatsa and Vaitarna lakes which are also chief sources of water to Mumbai.

Civic sources said that several reminders were sent to the sarpanchs of the gram panchayats who control the administration of these villages. However, they village leaders had failed to respond.

The local Bhiwandi Panchayat Samiti had also sent letters to various gram panchayats asking them to pay up. The Samiti had noted that it should not be blamed if they fail to get water.

After the early warning, Devrang and Bapgaon residents had partially paid their dues. However, this did not help in saving theirwater supply despite the fact that civic officials had assured the supply would not be affected.

Sources fear that the proposed cut may lead to a crisis. ``The villagers are blaming the local gram panchayats for the mess pointing out that water tax was regularly sent to them and it is they who have to pay to the BMC. Why should the villagers suffer for no fault of theirs?'' they said.

Civic Hydraulic Engineer S N Turkar could not be contacted.