Pune: With summer approaching, the Irrigation Department has urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to implement immediate water conservation strategies. The water levels in Pune’s four key dams—Khadakwasla, Temghar, Panshet, and Varasgaon—have dropped to 15.55 TMC, a reserve expected to last only two and a half months.
To sustain the city’s water needs until the monsoon, an additional 2.5 TMC is required. Officials have recommended that PMC reduce daily water consumption by 200 million liters (MLD) to avert a critical shortage. Currently, Pune’s daily water usage stands at 1,650 MLD. Although the existing water levels may appear sufficient, unpredictable summer weather necessitates caution and efficient management.
Pune’s water demand continues to escalate. While the Water Resources Department has allocated an annual quota of 14.61 TMC, actual usage hovers around 21 TMC per year. This translates to a monthly requirement of approximately 1.75 TMC. The recent addition of 23 villages to PMC’s jurisdiction has further increased monthly water demand to over 2 TMC.
Additionally, the Khadakwasla Dam supplies water not only to Pune but also to Daund and adjacent rural regions. Water from the dam is also released twice yearly to support rabi and summer crops, further intensifying demand.
Authorities are urging residents to adopt responsible water usage practices to mitigate the risk of a severe water shortage. Failure to adhere to water restrictions could result in significant challenges for Pune in the months ahead.
