Pune: A growing number of housing societies across Pimpri Chinchwad are scrambling for private water tankers mid-monsoon, even as Pavana dam remains at full capacity, prompting residents to question why tap water has dried up despite healthy stock in reservoirs.The residents said the shortage was especially challenging because Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) was supplying water on alternate days.At Yashone Central Housing Society in Wakad, a 412-flat complex, residents have been arranging around 12 private tankers daily to bridge the gap. “This is an unusual situation. We normally need tankers during summer, not in Aug or Sept. The civic supply has remained inadequate since PCMC announced a 15% cut due to the delayed monsoon. Even after the dams filled up, the situation has not improved,” society member Pratik Khandar said.Kalpataru Harmony Cooperative Housing Society in Wakad, home to 479 flats, is spending nearly Rs 50,000 a month to draw water from a neighbouring well. “We wrote to PCMC and have repeatedly followed up with officials. A water supply department official even visited the society, but to no avail,” society member Atul Vinchurkar said, adding that the society managed entirely through civic supply and borewells last monsoon.Prashant Kharangate, chairperson of the Eden Garden Housing Society Federation in Thergaon, said the 680-flat society was receiving only about half its daily water requirement. “We are getting the same quantity of water that we received in March, before the monsoon began. PCMC had provided additional connections based on our needs, but the supply has remained limited,” he said.Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation president Sachin Londhe said an online survey on water supply received responses from 34 societies within hours, with many reporting inadequate supply or overdependence on tankers. “Pavana dam is full, yet societies are not receiving enough water. This naturally raises questions about why supply remains inadequate,” Londhe said, adding that his own society had been arranging four tankers a day despite the monsoon season.A senior official from PCMC water supply department said the issue appeared limited to specific localities. “There is no water cut in the city at present. The 15% reduction was introduced when monsoon was delayed and dam levels were low. Societies facing issues should approach us, and complaints will be addressed on a case-by-case basis,” he said.The official said PCMC would soon meet representatives of affected housing societies to understand the problem and resolve it.
