Why Is Pune’s Tap Water Turning Yellow? PMC Seeks Expert Help from Surat
Pune, 9th June 2026: The mystery behind the supply of yellowish, foul-smelling water to several localities in eastern Pune, including the Nagar Road corridor, remains unresolved despite weeks of complaints from residents and repeated investigations by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). In an effort to identify the root cause of the problem, the civic administration has decided to seek assistance from water treatment experts from Surat.
For over a month, residents of Sanjay Park, Viman Nagar, MHADA Colony, SRA settlements, Yamunanagar, Dhanori, Lohegaon, Chandan Nagar, Kharadi, Nagar Road, Wadgaon Sheri and surrounding areas have been receiving discoloured water accompanied by an unpleasant odour. The affected localities receive water from the Bhama Askhed Dam through the Kuruli Water Treatment Plant.
The issue has triggered widespread concern among residents, many of whom have questioned the safety of the water being supplied to their homes. Numerous complaints have been lodged with the PMC, while citizens and local representatives have staged protests demanding immediate action.
Although water samples collected from the affected areas were tested in PMC laboratories and found to be fit for consumption as per prescribed quality standards, officials have been unable to determine the exact cause of the unusual colour and smell. The lack of clarity has further heightened public concern.
Amid mounting pressure, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram visited the Kuruli Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday to review the situation. During a high-level meeting held after the inspection, officials discussed possible reasons behind the recurring problem.
According to preliminary observations, decaying algae in the reservoir may be contributing to the issue. Officials believe that fine algae particles could be entering the water supply system during the pumping process, resulting in the yellowish appearance and unpleasant odour reported by consumers.
To address the problem, PMC has initiated repair and maintenance work on the clarifiers and filter beds at the treatment plant. In addition, water treatment experts from Surat have been consulted for technical guidance.
The experts have recommended increasing the dosage of chlorine and poly aluminium chloride during the treatment process to improve water quality. They are expected to conduct an on-site inspection of the treatment plant and distribution network in the coming days before recommending long-term corrective measures.
Meanwhile, PMC officials have assured citizens that regular water quality testing is being carried out and that efforts are underway to resolve the issue at the earliest. However, with the exact cause yet to be identified, thousands of residents in eastern Pune continue to await a permanent solution to the ongoing water supply problem.
