Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad tighten water rules as dam levels fall

As reservoir levels continue to decline and the delayed monsoon keeps inflows low, Pune’s water crisis has intensified, affecting not only residents but also the city’s hospitality industry. With live water storage in the Pune region falling to just 14.30 per cent of total capacity, less than half of the 31.16 per cent recorded on the same date last year, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has implemented alternate-day water supply to ensure availability lasts until the end of July.The water rationing has left thousands of residents grappling with shortages, forcing households and housing societies to store water and alter daily routines. Many residents in the newly merged areas are now completely dependent on tanker water. In addition, the city’s hotel industry is also feeling the impact, with several establishments relying on private water tankers to meet daily operational needs.Pune: IT Recruitment Firm CEO Booked In ₹2.62 Crore Investment Fraud Case The hospitality sector is among the largest commercial consumers of water. While an average citizen requires around 135-150 litres of water a day, a guest staying in a five-star hotel can consume 500-1,000 litres daily. Water is extensively used in guest rooms, kitchens, laundry services, swimming pools, air-conditioning cooling towers, landscaping and housekeeping operations. Industry estimates suggest that nearly 30-40 per cent of a hotel’s total water consumption is accounted for by kitchens and laundries alone.According to industry estimates, a 250-room five-star hotel can require nearly one lakh litres of water every day, equivalent to the daily water needs of 650-750 citizens. With municipal supply restricted, many hotels have been compelled to purchase water through private tankers, significantly increasing operational costs.Pune DRI Officer, Family Threatened; Caller Claims D-Company Ties To reduce dependence on fresh water, several hotels have invested in sewage treatment plants (STPs) that recycle treated water for flushing, gardening and cleaning. Many have also adopted rainwater harvesting systems, low-flow fixtures and sensor-operated taps as part of long-term water conservation efforts.The crisis comes against the backdrop of declining reservoir storage across Maharashtra. According to the Maharashtra Water Resources Department, the state’s 3,028 dams, weirs and reservoirs collectively hold 24.03 per cent live storage, down from 32.38 per cent on the same day last year. Officials clarified that these figures represent live storage -- the usable water available above the dead storage level.A senior Water Resources Department official noted that comparisons with last year should be viewed cautiously, as the southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on May 28, 2025, bringing substantial rainfall much earlier than this year.Pune: PMC Prepares For Possible El Niño Impact; Commissioner Reviews IMD Forecast The Pune region currently has 77.02 TMC of live water storage. The city depends primarily on the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar dams, and civic officials estimate that nearly 3.6 TMC of water will be required to meet the city’s needs until July 31.The irony runs deep. Pune is one of India’s fastest-growing cities, attracting new residents, businesses and investments every year. Yet its water supply system is struggling to keep pace with this rapid expansion. The challenge before the PMC is becoming increasingly stark: ensuring an equitable and adequate water supply to a rapidly growing population while reservoir levels continue to shrink, infrastructure ages, demand rises and the city’s allocation from the state government remains constrained by an outdated water quota.As uncertainty over rainfall continues, both residents and commercial establishments are being urged to use water judiciously. The current crisis highlights the urgent need not only for short-term conservation measures but also for long-term reforms in water management, infrastructure expansion, recycling, and sustainable urban planning to secure Pune’s future water needs.

Pimpri-Chinchwad: The Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor, Ravi Landge, has warned that the city may have to impose water cuts if it does not receive rainfall by June 25.He has also directed the administration to immediately shut down all municipal and private swimming pools as a precautionary measure.Speaking at the general body meeting on Monday, Landge said the delayed monsoon has raised concerns about water availability in the city. He appealed to residents to use water carefully and avoid wastage.Pimpri-Chinchwad depends mainly on the Pawana and Andra dams for its water supply. As of Monday, Pawana Dam had about 20% water storage, while Andra Dam had around 30%.The city has already been receiving water on alternate days for the past six-and-a-half years. With rains yet to arrive despite half of June having passed, concerns over a possible water shortage have increased. Pune To Get Water On Alternate Days; PMC Shuts Pools, Car Wash Centres And Restricts Construction Use Landge said water levels are lower compared to the same period last year. He noted that if rainfall does not begin by June 25, the civic administration will have to make a decision on further water restrictions.The mayor also instructed officials to stop the use of municipal water at construction sites and take action against activities that lead to unnecessary water wastage. He urged citizens to conserve water and cooperate with the administration to avoid a larger crisis in the coming weeks.

Pune shifts to alternate-day water supply from June 15 to Aug. 20 as dam levels fall. PMC targets 500 MLD savings, bans non-essential water use, and tightens conservation rules.

Pune shifts to alternate-day water supply from June 15 to Aug. 20 as dam levels fall. PMC targets 500 MLD savings, bans non-essential water use, and tightens conservation rules.

Pune: Facing declining dam reserves and uncertainty over the monsoon, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a series of water conservation measures, including an alternate-day water supply across most parts of the city from Monday. The civic body has also ordered the closure of vehicle washing centres and swimming pools and prohibited the use of PMC-supplied water for construction activities.The decision comes as water levels in the dams supplying Pune continue to remain low due to the delayed onset of the monsoon and concerns over below-normal rainfall this season. Civic officials said strict conservation measures are necessary to ensure that the available water stock lasts until August.Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has directed housing societies to keep sewage treatment plants (STPs) operational and maximise the use of recycled water. Hotels, restaurants, hostels and commercial establishments have also been asked to reduce consumption and reuse treated grey water wherever possible. Construction sites have been instructed to use water from STPs, borewells or wells instead of civic water supplies. Authorities have warned that action will be taken against violators.Pune: NCMC Card Registration Problems Trouble MSRTC Passengers; Senior Citizens Hit By Server Issues & Limited Timings Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said the city currently has around 5 TMC of water stored in the four major dams supplying Pune—Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar. Of this, only about 3 TMC is available for the city's use. She said the available water must be used carefully to avoid a severe shortage in the coming months.The PMC currently draws around 1,550 million litres of water per day. With the alternate-day supply system, the civic body expects to reduce consumption by nearly 400 million litres daily. Officials believe this will help stretch available reserves until at least August 20 if rainfall remains below expectations.Areas receiving water from the Bhama Askhed Dam will not be included in the current water-cut plan. According to Nagpure, residents in these areas are already facing issues due to muddy water supply, making further restrictions difficult at this stage.The alternate-day supply will be implemented gradually and area-wise to prevent technical problems such as pipeline bursts and uneven distribution. Officials said restarting water supply after shutdowns often creates pressure-related challenges, particularly in areas located at the tail-end of the distribution network.Vehicles Lingering Beyond 15 Minutes At Pune International Airport Could Face ₹500 Fine The civic administration has appealed to citizens to avoid wastage and use water responsibly. Tanker operators have also been requested not to increase their rates during the period of restrictions.The decision follows revised monsoon projections issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast seasonal rainfall at around 90 to 95 per cent of normal between June and September. Officials said the possibility of lower rainfall and the expected impact of El Niño conditions have prompted precautionary measures to safeguard Pune's water supply.