It will also issue advertisements in the media appealing for wise use of water.

“There is enough water till July 15. We will take a stock of the situation on July 10 and will decide on further water cuts then,” said senior officials. There has been practically no rainfall in the catchment areas of six lakes — Modak Sagar, Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Vihar, Tulsi and Tansa.

This year there is storage of 1,62,641 million litres water through these lakes. Officials said the decision to increase water cuts will strictly depend on the rainfall.

The water crisis was a point of discussion in the standing committee meeting on Wednesday. Members said that although the civic administration had set up a helpline for water related problems, it was not functional. “Our calls are never responded via helpline. If this is the case with corporators then imagine the plight of a common man,” said Shiv Sena corporator Rajul Patel.

Congress corporator Sameer Desai said it’s time the BMC explored other water sources and not just depend on the six lakes for water supply. “The city is surrounded by sea water and we should begin experimentation with de-salination technique even though if it is expensive,” he said. According to a report by IIT, de-salination costs Rs 30 for purification of 1,000 litres of water against Rs 3.5 for 1,000 litres of potable water.

Desai’s view was echoed by standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar. He also said the administration should dig more borewells across the city and clean up the existing wells so that during crisis the water will come handy.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Mahadeo Sangle said the administration will have to take a policy issue on the matter for the long term solution. “But for short term, we will issue an advertisement in media asking people to use water carefully,” he said.

Gag order against officials

After reports on water being supplied to city once in two days created panic among the citizens, the standing committee has directed the administration not to make such ‘loose and irresponsible statements’. “The group leaders of all political parties should be taken into confidence regarding water issue before making any such statement,” Waikar said.