Special Correspondent
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to permit private reverse osmosis (RO) plants to resume operations, provided they comply with stringent quality standards. This decision follows the recent sealing of 30 private RO plants in areas where cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) had emerged. Initially, the civic body had shut down these facilities due to public health concerns.
However, ongoing water shortages in Kirkatwadi, Nanded, and Khadakwasla, stemming from limitations at PMC’s purification centers, have prompted authorities to allow the reopening of RO plants that meet specified safety norms.
As per the new guidelines, all private RO plant owners must register their facilities with the PMC. They are required to submit an application along with relevant documents to the chief engineer of the water supply department for formal approval.
Additionally, plant owners must carry out immediate maintenance and servicing of their facilities through the original manufacturer or an authorized service provider. A maintenance certificate from the service company is mandatory, along with geo-tagged photographs documenting the repair work.
Before resuming operations, the purified water from each RO plant must be tested for potability. These tests must be conducted by the State Public Health Laboratory, Pune, or the PMC laboratory to confirm the water meets safety standards. RO plants will only be allowed to reopen upon receiving a certified report verifying the water is safe for consumption.
The PMC has also directed regional health inspectors to conduct routine inspections of private RO plants. Inspectors will collect water samples regularly to ensure compliance with prescribed quality norms. Any plant found violating these standards will face strict penalties, including immediate closure.
For RO plants utilizing PMC’s water supply, operators must regularize their connections and pay water bills at non-domestic rates based on meter readings. This measure aims to enhance transparency and curb unauthorized use of municipal resources.
The reopening of private RO plants is expected to provide relief to residents in water-scarce areas, especially those who depend on these facilities for their drinking water needs. However, the PMC has emphasized that public health and safety remain the top priority.
Assistant commissioners from respective zones have been tasked with overseeing the implementation of these new regulations. The PMC has urged plant owners to comply with the guidelines swiftly to facilitate the timely reopening of their facilities.
