Citizens urged to use water judiciously amid shortage

Amid mounting concerns over a potential water shortage, the quartet of dams supplying water to Pune currently stands at only 34.61 per cent of their storage capacity, amounting to 10.09 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet). This marks a significant decrease from last year's storage level of 43.64 per cent, holding 12.72 TMC.

Official data reveals that the cumulative water storage of the Khadakwasla reservoir stands at 54.39 per cent, accounting for 1.07 TMC of water as of April 16. Panshet reservoir is at 33.97 per cent, holding 3.62 TMC, while Temghar stands at 6.87 per cent with 0.29 TMC. Additionally, the Warasgaon dam stands at 39.84 per cent capacity, holding 5.11 TMC.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Shweta Kurhade, Executive Engineer at the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, assured that there wouldn't be any issue regarding drinking water despite the shortage. However, she highlighted potential impacts on water availability for agricultural and industrial purposes.

"We are facing scarcity, but we have implemented microplanning. Our water planning is in place until July 15 this year, with priority given to drinking water. While drinking water supply is ensured, there is a shortage for agricultural and industrial

purposes. We had prepared such plans before Diwali," Kurhade explained.

Previously, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued explicit orders for the judicious use of water. These orders include directives for car washing centres to refrain from using water supplied by the civic body for

washing cars. Similarly, instructions were given for utilising Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) water for construction activities. These directives followed a meeting convened by Pune district collector Suhas Diwase to address the water shortage in the city and discuss mitigation strategies.