Pune: The state irrigation department has written to the municipal corporations of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to immediately cut water supply by 10%. In its communication, the department also directed PMC and PCMC to reduce water wastage, seepage and illegal use.The instructions have come following state govt’s directive to go for water cuts by Oct 15 to tackle the water crisis.PMC has yet to come out with a detailed plan on how it would execute 10% water cuts in the city areas; the administration is expected to go with once-a-week water cuts, which could save around 14% of water per month.The irrigation department has also asked PMC and PCMC to use treated water in public gardens and for along road dividers, in lawns and at green spots. It also advised both municipal corporations to ensure the immediate use of recycled water at construction sites, in industrial areas and at washing centres.“The municipal corporations should prepare a plan to secure water supply for their respective jurisdictions for the next 11 months till Aug 31, 2027. The administration should undertake a massive awareness drive among citizens on judicious use of water and avoid its wastage,” the letter has said.The irrigation department further said the municipal corporations that don’t immediately implement water cuts would be held responsible for any future shortage in their jurisdictions.On Friday, the collective stock in four dams in the Khadakwasla circle that supply water to Pune stood at 26.5 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) — 2.5 TMC less than last year. The stock in Pavana dam, which supplies Pimpri Chinchwad, was at 99.4%.Sources from PMC said that the efforts to save water should be undertaken in rural areas as well — the irrigation department supplies water from Khadakwasla dam to rural areas through Mutha canal; this release should be brought down by 10%. The ongoing release of water for rural areas is likely to continue for at least the next one month, they said.
