With a delay in the arrival of monsoon and depleting water levels in the dams supplying water to the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will review the situation next week on whether to impose additional water cuts in the city, said the civic body’s officials Saturday.
The arrival of monsoon is delayed by over 10 days and there has not been sufficient pre-monsoon showers in and around the city. The high mercury levels have instead led to loss of water due to evaporation and excess demand to meet the needs of the citizens.
According to the state water resource department, the total water storage in the four dams — Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar — has gone down to 3.75 TMC. “The water can last for just over a month if there is no water cut. The PMC has been implementing a water cut once a week for the last one month,” said Annirudha Pawaskar, chief engineer of the civic body’s water supply department.
Municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar said that the IMD has predicted the arrival of monsoon next month. “Hopefully, the monsoon arrives soon and the rain in the catchment area of the dams increases the water,” he said.
A review of the situation will be taken after a week and further decisions on water cuts will be taken, Kumar said, adding, the PMC has made it mandatory for the real estate construction sites, gardens and grounds to use only treated water of Sewage Treatment Plants. “We have set a target of 200 tankers to be refilled with treated water from the STPs for construction and other purposes which would reduce the use of potable water,” Kumar said.
After once-a-week water cuts across the city to mitigate the possible water shortage due to the delayed monsoon, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun an alternate day water supply in parts of the city which is unable to get sufficient water.
