Residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad, a city in the Pune Metropolitan Region, are expressing frustration and concern over the prolonged water supply issues that have persisted for the past four years. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has recently announced that the current alternate-day water supply schedule will continue until 2025, leading to a surge in complaints, particularly regarding inadequate and low-pressure water supply. The situation is exacerbated by reports of contaminated water supply in certain areas, raising questions about the safety and quality of the water being provided to residents.
In Hinjawadi and Thergaon-Wakad areas, residents are grappling not only with low water pressure but also with more severe issues related to water contamination. The discovery of larvae in drinking water filters in Hinjawadi and muddy water concerns in Wakad have heightened anxieties among the affected communities. Despite these challenges, the PCMC’s response has come under scrutiny, with residents alleging an insufficient and delayed resolution to the water quality and pressure issues.
Recent reports highlight that residents are dealing with water supply problems, including elevated Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels and black-colored water. High TDS levels can impact the water quality and taste, while black-colored water raises concerns about potential contamination. These issues are compounding the difficulties faced by residents in accessing safe and clean water for their daily needs, necessitating urgent intervention and remediation by local authorities and water management agencies.
Pimpri-Chinchwad relies on water supply from the Pavana Dam in Maval, and the introduction of alternate-day water supply in 2019 was initially intended as a temporary measure to address complaints about uneven water distribution. However, despite assurances of a short-term solution, the alternate-day schedule has persisted for over four years. With the city’s population projected to grow until 2045, the PCMC is planning to source additional water from Andhra and Bhama Askhed dams to meet the rising demand. A water treatment plant in Chikhali has been established to treat this additional supply, but challenges in aqueduct construction and land acquisition are causing delays.
Despite these ongoing efforts, the issues of water scarcity and complaints persist, emphasizing the need for sustained assessment and planning to ensure a reliable water supply for the growing population. The completion of the aqueduct project is expected by 2025, offering hope for a transition to daily water supply in Pimpri-Chinchwad. PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh has reiterated the commitment to resolving water supply challenges in the future.
