Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Thursday announced a 10% reduction in water supply across the city, following state govt directives to conserve water stocks till Aug 31, 2027, amid below-normal rainfall.The city, which has been receiving water on alternate days since 2019 for around three to three-and-a-half hours, will now see supply duration reduced by about 20-25 minutes. “The impact will gradually become visible over the next two weeks as the curbs are implemented across the city,” a senior water supply department official said.State govt had directed civic bodies to cut water supply by 10% before Oct 16 to ensure available reserves last through a potentially difficult period marked by deficient rainfall linked to the El Niño effect.PCMC has also tightened restrictions on water use and warned housing societies, commercial establishments and construction projects against wasting potable water. “Special ward-level inspection teams will monitor misuse and enforce conservation measures,” the official said.Housing societies have been told to use treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and greywater treatment systems for gardens and landscaping. Societies found keeping STPs non-operational risk permanent disconnection of water supply.The civic body said unauthorised use of drinking water at vehicle service centres will lead to disconnection and criminal action. Residents have been asked not to use potable water for washing vehicles, terraces or courtyards.New housing projects will receive limited-capacity water connections meant only for drinking purposes. Electric pumps attached to municipal connections will be seized and offenders penalised. No new water connections will be granted to vehicle washing centres and large commercial projects.Commercial establishments and construction sites have been asked to arrange alternative water sources, while builders have been directed to use treated water from PCMC STPs instead of borewell water for construction activities.Residents have also been urged to prevent leakages and overflow from storage tanks, report pipeline leaks and use borewell water judiciously. The civic body warned that illegal extraction and sale of river water through tankers will invite criminal cases.PCMC commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi said housing societies that adopt water conservation practices will be recognised, while violators will face action. “Every drop saved today will help secure water availability tomorrow and next year. Residents should use only as much water as necessary, avoid wastage and cooperate with the civic body’s conservation efforts,” he said.Another official said the water situation was expected to worsen by March-April next year. “However, the city is expected to get relief from an additional 167 MLD of water from Bhama Askhed dam through a dedicated pipeline currently under construction. The project is expected to be completed before March, helping PCMC manage supplies until the next monsoon,” the official added.
