Pune: Robotic Camera Inspections Detect 84 Blockages, 67 Contamination Spots in PMC Water Pipelines
Pune, 14th October 2026: With nearly 32% of its water supply lost to leakage, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has identified blockages, contaminated water, leaks and unauthorised connections in its water distribution network through robotic camera inspections. The civic body claims that corrective measures taken following the inspections have helped save 742,365 litres of water daily.
The PMC’s water supply department inspected pipelines at 322 locations between April 6 and July 23, 2026, using robotic cameras to identify leaks and other problems. The inspections detected blockages at 84 locations, water contamination at 67, leaks at four and unauthorised connections at four locations. Deposits had also accumulated along the inner surfaces of pipelines at six locations.
The civic body said it had undertaken immediate corrective measures at the identified locations to reduce water losses and improve the quality of the supply.
Of the four unauthorised connections detected, three were on 100mm-diameter pipelines and one was on a 150mm-diameter pipeline. Action was taken against all four connections, with the department claiming that this had resulted in daily water savings of around 202,365 litres.
The inspections covered pipelines ranging from 75mm to 1,200mm in diameter. Leaks were detected and repaired at two locations on 300mm-diameter pipelines, and at one location each on 150mm and 450mm pipelines.
The findings come amid growing pressure on the city’s water resources. According to the civic body, Pune has an approved water allocation of 16.36 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), comprising 11.6 TMC from the Khadakwasla project, 0.34 TMC from the Pavana river basin, 2.67 TMC from the Bhama Askhed project and 1.75 TMC for newly merged villages.
The city’s population, including the newly merged areas, has increased from 44.42 lakh in 2017 to 77.76 lakh in 2025-26. As per the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority’s norms cited by the civic body, the city requires at least 135 litres of water per person per day.
The PMC estimates that around 32% of its total water supply is lost through leakage, amounting to nearly 6 TMC annually. The civic body is banking on pipeline inspections and repairs to curb these losses and improve the efficiency of its water distribution network.
