Pune Municipal Corporation will impose a 10% water cut across the city from October 15, with the entire municipal water supply to be shut every Thursday as the civic body responds to lower reservoir levels and a state government directive to conserve water.
The decision was taken at a meeting attended by PMC Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram, Additional Commissioner Pawneet Kaur, water supply department head Nandkishor Jagtap and senior officials. The civic administration said the weekly shutdown would help use the available storage more efficiently and maintain supplies for the city in the coming months.
The state government has directed local bodies to reduce water use by at least 10% and plan available stocks until August 31, 2027. The irrigation department subsequently wrote to the PMC regarding the reduction. The directive has been issued against the backdrop of concerns over lower rainfall and the possible continuation of El Nino conditions into the following year, according to the report.
The PMC said the Khadakwasla dam chain had 26.22 thousand million cubic feet, or TMC, of water available as of October 12. The civic body described the storage as lower than the level recorded in a typical year. It also reviewed water availability in the Khadakwasla chain, Bhama Askhed and Pavana reservoirs, along with the city’s projected requirements, before deciding on the weekly shutdown.
Additional Commissioner Pawneet Kaur said the citywide supply would remain closed every Thursday and that the decision would be implemented from the coming Thursday. Residents will therefore need to store water in advance and adjust household use around the weekly interruption. The PMC has not provided a zone-wise schedule in the information available in the report.
The civic administration has asked residents and establishments not to use drinking water for construction. It has advised builders to use treated sewage, borewell or well water for construction activity instead. Households and commercial establishments have been asked to repair leaking taps, while private and public vehicle-washing centres have been told to remain closed.
The PMC has also asked residents to avoid using potable water for swimming pools and gardens and urged housing societies to introduce water-saving measures. These instructions extend the cut beyond household consumption to construction sites, residential complexes and commercial activities that can increase demand during a supply-constrained period.
Residents can submit complaints through the PMC’s toll-free number, 1800-1030-222, WhatsApp number, 9689900002, the civic website at www.pmc.gov.in or PMC Care. The weekly shutdown and 10% reduction are scheduled to begin on October 15 under the state directive to conserve the available water stock.
