Pune will face a 10% water cut from October 15, with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) shutting water supply across the city every Thursday to conserve dam storage amid concerns over lower rainfall and the continuing impact of El Niño.
The decision follows a state government directive asking local bodies to reduce water use by at least 10% and plan available supplies until August 31, 2027. The Irrigation Department subsequently sent the PMC a letter instructing it to implement the reduction.
PMC Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said the weekly shutdown would begin on the coming Thursday. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Kaur, water-supply department head Nandkishor Jagtap and senior civic officials.
According to the civic administration, the Khadakwasla dam chain had 26.22 TMC of water available as of October 12. PMC said this storage is lower than the level recorded in previous years. The civic body also reviewed water available in the Khadakwasla dam chain, Bhama Askhed and Pavana dams, along with the city’s expected water demand.
PMC said keeping the city’s water supply shut every Thursday would help use the available storage more efficiently and make it possible to maintain adequate supplies in the future. The weekly closure means residents, housing societies, commercial establishments and institutions will need to plan storage and consumption around the shutdown.
The state’s instructions were issued against the backdrop of lower rainfall this year and concerns that El Niño’s effects could continue until the following year. The government has asked local bodies to manage existing water stocks carefully so that supplies can be maintained through August 2027.
The PMC has asked residents not to use drinking water for construction and to use treated sewage, borewell or well water for such work. It has also advised households and establishments to repair leaking taps and asked private and public vehicle-washing centres to remain closed.
The civic body has further urged residents to avoid using drinking water for swimming pools and gardens. Housing societies have been asked to introduce water-saving measures and manage consumption within their premises.
Residents can register complaints or seek assistance through the PMC’s toll-free number, 1800-1030-222, WhatsApp number 9689900002, the civic website pmc.gov.in and PMC Care. The weekly shutdown and 10% reduction are scheduled to take effect from October 15.
