Pune residents could face water supply cuts after the Water Resources Department directed the Pune Municipal Corporation to immediately reduce water use by at least 10%, citing lower storage in the Khadakwasla dam chain and the need to secure drinking water supplies until 31 August 2027.
The direction was issued in a letter sent by Kiran Deshmukh, executive engineer of the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, to the municipal commissioner. The letter asks the civic body to introduce the reduction immediately, prevent leakage and wastage, and plan water distribution so that drinking water remains available through the end of August 2027.
The department’s instruction follows a state government direction to reduce drinking water use by 10% amid uncertainty over rainfall linked to El Nino. It has also asked all local bodies to continue action under earlier water-reduction directions issued by the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority.
According to the department’s figures for Friday, the four reservoirs supplying Pune held a combined 26.42 TMC of water, equivalent to 90.64% of their total storage. Varasgaon had the largest stock at 12.19 TMC, followed by Panshet at 9.74 TMC, Temghar at 3.67 TMC and Khadakwasla at 0.82 TMC. Temghar’s storage level was 99.09%, while Khadakwasla stood at 41.71%.
The current combined storage is 2.67 TMC, or 9.15%, lower than the 29.09 TMC recorded on the same day last year, when the reservoirs were reported to be 99.79% full. Although the dam chain still has more than 90% storage overall, the Water Resources Department has said consumption must be managed carefully to cover the period until the next monsoon.
The municipal corporation has been instructed to survey and act against leakage, wastage and unauthorised water use. The department has also asked it to use treated wastewater wherever possible for gardens, parks, road dividers and other green areas. Treated wastewater should receive priority for construction, industrial and commercial processes, vehicle washing and other non-potable uses.
The instructions also call for a public awareness campaign on water conservation and the avoidance of unnecessary use. Drinking water is to receive the highest priority after considering available storage and expected inflows. The civic body must coordinate with the Water Resources Department, implement the order effectively and submit a report on the action taken.
The exact impact on household water supplies will depend on the Pune Municipal Corporation’s implementation decision, including the schedule, method of reduction and area-wise distribution plan. The department has warned that responsibility will be fixed if a future shortage occurs because water reduction measures were not implemented.
