Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ Study on Supply of Water to Mumbai Slums

According to a study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), a majority of the Mumbai’s population that lives in slums, waste the workday or school time in collecting potable water. Two-thirds of Mumbai’s residents have to slog away for hours a day to procure as basic a necessity as water. 87.5% of the women population travel on an average 1.5km to the source of distribution and come back to their shanties bearing 40kg buckets on their head. According to TISS, the load can be harmful for the spine, leading to deformities and arthritis.

The study was carried out to understand the impact of irregular water supply on people who live in slums established after 1995. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) does not supply water to these slums resulting in water supply shortage. 2 lakh people in 21 slum communities across the city are subjected to severe water crisis. 35% of adults skip work and 69% of children skip school to collect water. 81% of these people bring water home by carrying the buckets on the head. The individuals need on average three hours to complete the task.

Water costs Rs 5 for 35 litres, making the average monthly expenditure Rs 600 for a daily consumption of 150 litres. This is a huge sum for families earning Rs 3500 a month on average. 81% of the population buy water while only 19% have access to tap water at home.