Water crisis hits swimming pools

As gyms start shutting pools, some housing societies have themselves shut water supply to their pools

Divya Katija, 14, is upset that she will not be able to go for her swimming classes at Belapur as it is shut until monsoon.

After t he Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) decided to stop water supply to swimming pools, all private as well as municipal ones have shut for three months as the city has been facing a severe crisis.

“I started my swimming lessons last year and summer is the time when we however now the classes will remain cancelled for quite some time until the water supply is restored. We will be missing it till then,” said Katija.

Officials said water supply will be completely stopped to swimming pools. “We have cut down the water supply at all the places. The supply in swimming pools were reduced and it will be shut down in all the housing societies and public pools from this week,” said Arvind Shinde, executive engineer, NMMC water department.

Nerul Gymkhana has shut its swimming pool from Thursday. “We have closed the pool since the water supply has been very less for the last few days. The move will cause inconvenience to members,” said an employee of Nerul Gymkhana.

Young Men’ s Christian Association (YMCA) at Belapur said they have stopped getting water supply for three weeks.

“We had to shut our swimming pool since February since the municipal corporation water supply was irregular. The regular classes have been stopped and we will also not be able to hold any swimming camps in summer for children like every year,” said Rapheal A, secretary of YMCA.

Vashi- based Navi Mumbai Sports Association (NMSA) said they recycle water from the pool in their filtration plant and reuse it every 15 days. “Even then, a minimum amount of fresh water is required. The swimming has not yet shut as we still

have water,” said Raju Shinde, member of the core committee of NMSA.

Residents of many housing societies have themselves taken the initiative of not using the swimming pool.

Residents of Raheja Residency in Vashi opted to stop using the swimming pool in their society. “Since there is already a water shortage and further cuts in supply, it is not wise to waste water in the swimming pool. Hence we have stopped using it,” said Mohan Kumar, a resident of Moraj Residency in Sanpada.

Some housing societies of City and Industrial Developmental Corporation (Cidco) are tapping alternative sources of water for their swimming pool. “We have our own well in the society from which we are drawing water for swimming pool,” said Nadim Divde, resident of Kesar Gardens in Kharghar.

BACHCHAN KUMAR The NRI complex in Seawoods will soon shut its swimming pool.