Pune: Install Water Meters or Face Disconnection – PMC
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 8th May 2025: In a stern move aimed at curbing water wastage, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a warning to housing societies and residents opposing the installation of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) water meters — comply or risk disconnection.
As part of the ongoing Uniform Water Supply Scheme, the PMC is laying a city-wide water channel network and installing AMR meters on individual water connections. These meters are designed to detect leakages, monitor consumption, and ensure equitable water distribution. However, growing resistance from some societies and residents has pushed the civic body to take a hardline stance.
“If citizens continue to oppose the installation of AMR water meters, we will be forced to disconnect their water supply without any prior notice,” a senior official from PMC’s water supply department confirmed. “Water is being wasted due to undetected leaks, and we cannot afford this any longer.”
Mounting Concerns Over Wastage Amid Ample Storage
Despite sufficient water stock in the dams that supply Pune, the city continues to face inconsistent water supply. Several areas still experience low pressure or irregular supply. Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department has taken punitive action against the PMC for exceeding its sanctioned water quota and has asked the city to curb overconsumption.
To address the crisis, the PMC has launched a campaign to intensify installation of water meters under the uniform supply project. So far, around 1.8 lakh AMR meters have been installed, leading to successful identification of leaks and excess usage in multiple areas.
“In areas where meters have been installed, we’ve seen positive results. Leakages have been identified, and it’s easier to control wastage,” the official added.
Meters Are Free—But Maintenance Is Your Responsibility
To ease public resistance, the PMC has clarified that the cost of the first-time installation of the new AMR meters will be borne by the municipal body. These smart meters are being custom-made by the PMC for all consumers under its jurisdiction.
Citizens are free to suggest suitable locations on their property for meter placement. However, once installed, the responsibility for safeguarding the meter lies with the property owner. Any damage, theft, or tampering will make the owner liable for replacement costs.
Why Meters Matter
Currently, the PMC lacks a robust mechanism to measure exact water supply at the consumer end, making it difficult to address complaints such as low pressure, inadequate supply, or no supply. AMR meters are seen as a long-term solution that will help:
Detect real-time water leakage.
Measure actual usage vs. supply.
Resolve citizen complaints more efficiently.
Rationalize water distribution across the city.
“Without meters, it’s like flying blind,” the official said. “We don’t know how much is being used, wasted, or leaked. This makes timely redressal of water issues nearly impossible.”
Citizens Urged to Cooperate—or Face the Consequences
The civic body has started issuing formal letters to societies and individuals, urging immediate cooperation. The message is clear: install the meters or lose access to municipal water.
“We appeal to citizens to cooperate. This is not a threat; it’s a necessary measure to secure Pune’s water future. Refusing meters means delaying solutions for everyone,” the letter states.
