Pune told to cut water use by 10% from October 15; civic decision on Monday

Pune: To make available water last into next year, the water resources department has told Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and industrial areas to cut water use by 10 per cent a month from October 15. The Pune Municipal Corporation has not yet taken a final decision. A meeting chaired by municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram on Monday is likely to settle the form, implementation and schedule of any cut.

With the model code of conduct in force, the decision is likely to be taken at the administrative rather than the political level. Shutting supply one day a week is being discussed, but no official decision has been made. If a cut is introduced, residents will have to plan their water use carefully, additional commissioner Prajit Nair said.

The Khadakwasla dams now hold 26.42 TMC, or 90.64 per cent of capacity. Because this stock has to last until August 2027, the department wants water use controlled. With El Niño likely to affect the coming monsoon, there is no guarantee the dams will fill next year.

The Khadakwasla irrigation division has written to the corporation and has also informed the Pimpri-Chinchwad corporation and the Chinchwad, Hinjewadi and Kurkumbh industrial areas. It has asked them to plug leaks, stop unauthorised use and use more treated sewage for gardens, road dividers, construction and industrial processes.

Source: Pudhari