Pune Municipal Corporation’s Proactive Approach Leads to 200 MLD Reduction in Water Consumption

Pune, 11th February 2024: In a bid to curb water leakage and optimize distribution, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has implemented robust measures over the past two months, resulting in visible improvements in water management across the city. PMC’s initiatives include the installation of water meters at 247 key locations along main water channels to monitor water supply effectively.

By proactively addressing water leakage issues in water centres, PMC has successfully managed to save a significant amount of water, amounting to 200 million litres per day (MLD). This saved water, equivalent to the daily supply from the Bhama-Askhed dam to the eastern part of the city, translates to an annual cost-saving of Rs. 26 crores for PMC, enabling better water planning and allocation strategies.

Despite challenges posed by lower water levels in the city’s dam reservoirs this year, PMC has been proactive in managing water resources. While the Water Resources Department of the Government of Maharashtra limited water supply based on current availability, PMC undertook initiatives to identify and mitigate leaks in water centres and channels to optimize water distribution.

Several significant leaks, totalling 45 MLD, were detected and repaired in the Parvati and Warje water centres. Additionally, a 5 MLD leak in the Ambil Odha, supplying water to the Padmavati Pumping Station, was successfully addressed. Furthermore, the water supply to the Manjari and Phursungi villages has been streamlined through closed pipelines, eliminating the need to release 150 MLD of water from the dam.

PMC has also introduced a zoning system for equal water distribution across 141 zones in the city. Each zone receives water based on population criteria, with water meters installed on main channels to monitor daily water release and consumption accurately. This proactive approach has not only reduced water consumption by 200 MLD but also prevented excess water usage, leading to substantial daily water savings.

Nandkishore Jagtap, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department at PMC, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “Over the last two months, we have successfully reduced water consumption by about 200 MLD, preventing actual leakage by 50 MLD and stopping excess water supply to Phursungi and Manjari. This has resulted in a daily reduction of 150 MLD in water usage.”