Pune: PMC Considers Weekly Water Cut or Alternate-Day Supply to Save Up to 25% Water
Pune, 10th April 2026; The Pune Municipal Corporation is weighing two key proposals—shutting water supply across the city for one day a week or supplying water on alternate days—to manage consumption and conserve resources in the coming months.
According to Nandkishor Jagtap, implementing a weekly one-day shutdown could save water equivalent to four days each month, translating to about 12 days’ savings over three months and nearly 10% conservation. If alternate-day supply is adopted, savings could go up to 25%.
“These proposals are being finalised and will be submitted to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram. A detailed report outlining possible challenges will also be presented,” Jagtap told reporters.
Once the commissioner reviews the proposals, the matter will be placed before elected representatives, and a final decision will be taken in the general body meeting.
Pune currently receives its water supply from the Khadakwasla dam chain and the civic body lifts around 1,650 million litres per day, amounting to approximately 1.83 TMC per month. However, following instructions from the irrigation department, PMC has been asked to implement a cut of 0.275 TMC in its monthly quota.
Officials said that despite relatively better water storage compared to last year, concerns over a potentially weak monsoon—due to the impact of climatic factors like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole—have prompted the need for precautionary measures.
Executive engineer Kiran Deshmukh from the irrigation department has directed PMC to reduce water usage by 15%. After receiving this notice, discussions have intensified within the civic body on how to implement the reduction.
Meanwhile, Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale asserted that efforts would be made to ensure that citizens do not face shortages. “No matter the directives, we will try to ensure that not a single drop of water for Pune residents is reduced,” he said.
With forecasts suggesting a delayed monsoon, the PMC’s water supply department has begun advance planning to manage demand and avoid a crisis in the coming months.
