Pune, Oct 12 The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to shut off water supply across the city every Thursday from October 15 in view of declining water stocks and the possibility of reduced rainfall due to the El Nino effect.
The civic body has appealed to citizens to conserve water and avoid its unnecessary use to ensure adequate drinking water availability until August 31, 2027.
According to a release issued by the PMC, the Maharashtra Water Resources Department, through a government resolution dated October 5, directed authorities to plan the available water stock in dams according to different uses and ensure drinking water availability until August 31 next year.
The government has also asked local self-government bodies to reduce water consumption by at least 10 per cent from October 16 and increase the reduction, if required, to ensure that available stocks last through the period.
As of October 12, the Khadakwasla dam chain had 26.22 TMC of water, lower than the stock available during the corresponding period in previous years, the release said.
The PMC reviewed water availability in the Khadakwasla dam chain, Bhama Askhed and Pavana dams, which supply water to Pune, along with instructions from the irrigation department and the projected drinking water requirements.
In view of the available stock and the possibility of reduced rainfall, the civic body decided to implement a weekly water supply shutdown across its jurisdiction every Thursday from October 15, it said.
The PMC has also issued a series of measures to curb water wastage.
Citizens have been asked not to use drinking water for construction activities and instead use treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs), borewell water or well water.
Residents have been urged to check and repair leaking taps, flush tanks and pipelines in homes and public toilets. Government buildings and premises owned by the PMC have also been asked to inspect water connections and repair leakages.
Public and private vehicle-washing centres should remain closed, while drinking water and borewell water should not be used for washing vehicles or cleaning courtyards and footpaths, the civic body said.
The use of drinking water for private and public swimming pools, as well as gardens maintained by private entities and the civic body, has also been prohibited.
Housing societies with STPs have been directed to ensure that the plants remain operational and restart closed facilities. Treated wastewater should be reused for gardening and flushing, the release said.
The civic body has advised citizens to use only the required quantity of water for bathing, washing clothes and utensils, prevent overhead tanks from overflowing and install automatic float valves wherever necessary.
Residents have also been encouraged to reuse relatively clean domestic wastewater, or grey water, for gardening and cleaning.
Hotels, restaurants and hostels in private colleges have been asked to cooperate in conserving drinking water. Housing societies and commercial establishments have also been urged to take special measures to reduce consumption.
The civic body warned that unauthorised water connections would invite action and criminal cases would be registered, the release said.
(PTI News)
