Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation will introduce an additional 15% cut in alternate day water supply from Saturday as the Pavana dam’s stock depleted significantly in the absence of rainfall, prompting the possibility of a slimmer distribution duration in some pockets.As part of the water conservation measures, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Friday prohibited the use of potable water for swimming pools. No new water connection would be given during the period of restriction.Municipal commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi said, “The 15% reduction in supply would be implemented to ensure planned management of the available water stock. I urge citizens to use water judiciously and actively participate in conservation efforts. They should avoid washing vehicles with potable water, overwatering gardens and leaving taps running unnecessarily.”Another senior PCMC official said the water cut was announced following instructions from the irrigation department because of the delay in monsoon, possible impact of El Nino and receding water-level at Pavana dam — the city’s primary source of drinking water. According to the civic officials, the Pavana dam currently has 19% live storage — nearly 5% less than that on the corresponding day last year. Andra dam has around 29% stock.He said drinking water should be used only for domestic purposes, at schools and hospitals, warning that any use of potable water for other activities would attract penal action. The civic body has constituted special teams to monitor water consumption.A senior official from the water supply department said, “The PCMC will not supply water to commercial establishments, construction projects and other non-domestic consumers. They will have to make their own arrangements for water.”He said the use of drinking water for filling or maintaining swimming pools had been prohibited. Housing societies have been directed to use treated recycled water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) for watering gardens, lawns and trees instead of potable water.The PCMC currently supplies water on alternate days across the city. Most of the housing societies are forced to depend on water tankers, particularly during summer.Civic officials said the additional 15% water cut could reduce the duration of supply. Its extent may vary across localities, depending on the topography and distribution conditions. Most areas receive water for around three to four hours on alternate days at present.“Water supply timings may differ from one area to another. Localities at higher elevations may require a longer supply duration, while areas in lower terrain or those receive water at higher pressure may get the required volume in a comparatively shorter period,” another PCMC official said.PCMC currently receives around 530 million litres per day (MLD) of water from the Pavana dam, along with an additional 100 MLD from the Andra dam and about 20 MLD supplied through the MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation). According to the civic body’s information in the assembly, the city’s present population requires more than 750 MLD of water, while the irrigation department currently supplies only around 650 MLD.To bridge the gap, the state government has approved an additional allocation of 167 MLD from the Bhama Askhed dam. But the work to lay pipelines is expected to be over next year.(INSET)Pune mayor says no immediate plan to impose additional water cutsPune: Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said on Friday there was no immediate plan to impose additional water cuts in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) areas and the ongoing alternate day supply would be reviewed at the end of next week.The PMC imposed water cuts in the city from June 15. Water is being supplied on add and even dates across five zones. Nagpure said a revised time table of water supply would be needed on some days.She said the demand for tankers had increased in the PMC limits. The civic administration has been told to initiate action against the tanker operators fleecing residents.
