Pune: PCMC’s Letter on Water Norms Sparks Outrage Among Pimpri-Chinchwad Residents

Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 13th March 2024: Complaints regarding insufficient and low-pressure water supply from housing societies in various parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad city have risen since the beginning of March. The Water Supply Department of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) responded by sending a letter to the housing societies, asserting that water is being supplied according to established norms. The letter also urges societies to use water judiciously and take preventive measures by inspecting underground and building tanks for leaks.

As the city’s population continues to grow, the water demand is steadily increasing. For over four years, the city has been on an alternating-day water supply schedule. However, there has been a surge in water demand since the beginning of March. Currently, the city receives 605 million litres per day (MLD) from Pavana Dam in Maval, 510 MLD from Andhra Dam in the first phase, and an additional 20 MLD from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Due to a decrease in water from the Andhra Dam, areas like Chikhali, Charholi, Moshi, Dudulgaon, Bhosari, and Dighi have reported complaints of insufficient and low-pressure water supply. In response, PCMC has increased an additional 10 MLD of water supply from MIDC.

There are 331 large housing societies in the city, out of which 284 have sewage plants, and 47 have closed sewage plants. Some institutions are already facing water problems, leading to complaints of insufficient and low-pressure water supply. In response, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) water supply department has initiated communication with housing societies, emphasizing the importance of judicious water use.

Letters are being sent to housing societies with sewage plants reminding them to continue sewage projects and advising the utilization of borewell water for toilets, gardens, and other purposes. The water supply department emphasizes the adherence to fixed standards, and records of water meter readings are being shared with the office bearers of the organizations.

Pavana Dam in Maval is the primary source of water supply for the city, and with the increasing summer heat, the water demand has risen. Currently, the dam has a water storage capacity of 51.90%, which is similar to last year at this time. Rajnish Baria, the branch engineer of the dam, stated that this water stock is sufficient until the end of June.

Shrikant Sawane, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department at PCMC, urged citizens to use water sparingly during the summer and emphasized that water is being supplied according to established standards.

Shrikant Savane, the chief engineer of the water supply department of PCMC, emphasized, “Complaints are emerging from some housing societies regarding insufficient water supply. Water is being provided by established standards. As the summer season has commenced, citizens must use water judiciously.”

In response, Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri-Chinchwad City Housing Society Federation President Sanjivan Sangale expressed, “The officials from PCMC’s water supply department have been inactive for an extended period. No representative from the water supply department conducts on-site inspections at any society to assess water supply. Instead, this verification is delegated to contract employees of the appointed contractors responsible for releasing water. This verification process is flawed. No society in Pimpri Chinchwad city is receiving water as per the ratings. The water meters installed by PCMC are faulty, and the meter readings in housing societies are inaccurately recorded. The water supply department at PCMC seems to lack understanding of the basic facts. We reject the letter sent to our societies. Is PCMC attempting to impose all regulations on our societies?”

Dattatray Deshmukh, Chairman of Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Society Federation, criticized PCMC’s water planning, stating, “PCMC’s water planning is fundamentally flawed. We have been receiving water on alternate days for several years. Despite the knowledge that rainfall had decreased in the previous year, PCMC failed to plan adequately during the summer when water demand is highest. Now, PCMC is advising citizens to use less water. While our federation encourages proper water usage and urges all societies to implement rainwater harvesting, PCMC’s poor water planning is evident. Many societies in our federation resort to tanker water or borewells, indicating PCMC’s failure to provide water adequately during other times and now advising us to conserve water.”