Pune: Residents of NIBM Road, Wanowrie, Kondhwa and nearby areas have said the muddy water problem persisting since mid-July continues to disrupt daily life — with no sign of relief.Many households said the water turns brown after spells of heavy rain, making it unsuitable for drinking, cooking, washing vegetables, bathing, washing clothes or cleaning utensils. Residents said they had been relying on packaged drinking water and 20 litre cans for consumption — in an unexpected monthly expense, while some use the muddy water for flushing toilets and mopping floors. Others feared prolonged use for bathing could lead to skin irritation or rashes, especially among children and the elderly, although no official advisory has confirmed such health risks.According to Pune Municipal Corporation, the problem is linked to high turbidity in raw water during the monsoon. Heavy rainfall increases suspended silt in reservoirs and rivers, while older treatment plants and distribution systems struggle to cope with the unusually high turbidity this season.
