Pune Water Cut on October 15: Amid low dam reserves due to El Nino and rainfall deficit, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started once-a-week water cuts from today. Several parts of Maharashtra have been facing a mounting water crisis due to increased temperature and a weak monsoon. The state government has also rolled out certain measures for water conservation.
Amid this weekly water cut in Pune, residents are worried about whether normal water pressure will be restored by Friday morning or remain suspended until Saturday.
What made PMC implement weekly water cut in Pune?
The decision comes months after all five dams supplying water to Pune were overflowing at 100% capacity in July. Nearly 19 TMC of extra water was released from Khadakwasla dam into the Mutha River. However, the monsoon through August and September was weak, forcing PMC to impose 10% cut in water supply across the city.
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Will this initiative help Pune save water?
According to sources cited by TOI, PMC and the irrigation department said the Thursday water cut initiative might continue till next summer.
PMC thinks that these weekly water cuts are likely to help save water equivalent to nearly 40 days of Pune's requirement. “If continued for the next nine months, the Thursday cuts could conserve over 2.1 TMC of water,” an official said.
Other measures by PMC to conserve water
- PMC has prohibited the use of drinking water for construction purposes. Construction workers can use water treated from sewage treatment plants (STPs), borewells or wells.
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- Public and private car washes have ordered to remain closed. Drinking water cannot be used for washing vehicles, cleaning yards or washing sidewalks.
- Housing societies have been asked to use sewage treatment plants (STPs). Instructions have been given that the water treated from these projects must be used for gardening and toilet flushing.
- Recycling less contaminated wastewater or greywater from homes has been prioritised. It is said that they can lessen the dependency on drinking water.
- The PMC has taken strict measures against unauthorised plumbing practices. If such pipe connections are found at any area or if a complaint is made regarding the same, action will be taken against the concerned persons.