Pune: PMC Reopens 30 RO Plants Amid GBS Outbreak, Sets Conditions for Safe Operations
Pune, 18th February 2025: In a move to address the ongoing concerns over drinking water quality in areas affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has permitted the reopening of 30 previously closed Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants. These plants, located in regions with reported cases of GBS, can now resume operations after meeting specific quality assurance standards outlined by the civic body.
The PMC announced this decision on Monday, alongside a public notice detailing the conditions for the reopening. Among the stipulations, RO plant operators are required to register their facilities with PMC, carry out thorough servicing, and allow inspections of the plants to ensure they meet the necessary safety standards.
Prithviraj BP, Additional Commissioner of PMC, explained, “The residents of Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Khadakwasla, and surrounding localities have been facing issues with the availability of safe drinking water from PMC’s purification centers. Given this situation, it was necessary to permit the reopening of RO plants that are capable of providing safe drinking water.”
The public notice outlined the requirements for operators, which include submitting formal applications to the chief engineer in charge of water supply and getting their systems repaired by authorized Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). A certificate confirming the repairs will be necessary before the plants are cleared to restart. Furthermore, the purified water produced must meet the World Health Organization (WHO) or IS 10500 (2012) standards, and samples will be tested in either a state or PMC-run laboratory before the plants are fully approved for operation.
Residents of areas affected by GBS have expressed cautious optimism about the reopening.
Civic officials reminded the public that under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, the PMC is responsible for maintaining private water sources used for drinking, including streams, lakes, and wells. This legal responsibility emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe and reliable sources of water for all residents.
