Pune to Face Weekly Water Cuts from October 15; PMC Urges 10% Reduction in Water Use
Pune, 12th October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a citywide water cut every Thursday from October 15, 2026, citing lower-than-usual water storage in dams supplying the city and concerns over the possible impact of El Niño on rainfall. The civic body has appealed to residents, housing societies, commercial establishments and institutions to reduce water consumption by at least 10% and avoid wastage, informed PMC Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur.
According to a press note issued by the PMC, the Khadakwasla dam chain had a remaining water stock of 26.22 TMC as of October 12, 2026. The civic body said the available storage was lower than that recorded in a typical year. Officials reviewed water availability in the Khadakwasla dam chain, Bhama Askhed Dam and Pavana Dam, taking into account inputs from the Irrigation Department and projected drinking water requirements for the coming months.
The decision follows a Maharashtra government resolution issued by the Water Resources Department on October 5, 2026, directing all local self-government bodies to reduce water consumption by at least 10% from October 16. The reduction may be increased, if necessary, to ensure that the available water stock lasts until August 31, 2027.
The government has also directed local authorities to plan the utilisation of available water resources, prioritise different water requirements and take preventive measures to minimise the impact of a possible drought-like situation. Public awareness campaigns have been recommended to discourage the unnecessary use of drinking water.
In line with these directions, the PMC has decided to suspend water supply across the municipal corporation limits every Thursday, beginning October 15. The civic body said the measure is aimed at conserving available water and ensuring an adequate drinking water supply for Pune residents in the coming months.
PMC Issues Water Conservation Guidelines
As part of the conservation drive, the PMC has directed residents not to use drinking water for construction activities. Treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs), borewell water or water from wells should be used for construction instead.
Residents have been asked to inspect taps, flush tanks and pipelines in their homes and repair leaks immediately. Government buildings and PMC-owned properties have also been directed to check water connections and bathroom fittings to prevent wastage.
Public and private vehicle-washing centres have been asked to shut down. The guidelines also prohibit the use of PMC-supplied water or borewell water for washing vehicles and cleaning courtyards or footpaths.
The civic body has further instructed residents not to use drinking water for filling private or public swimming pools or maintaining gardens. Housing societies with STPs must ensure that the facilities remain operational, while non-functional plants should be restarted. Treated wastewater should be reused for gardening and toilet flushing.
The PMC has appealed to citizens to use only the required amount of water for bathing, washing dishes and doing laundry. Hotels, restaurants, private hostels and college hostels have also been urged to adopt water-saving measures.
Residents have been advised to prevent overhead water tanks from overflowing, install automatic float valves where necessary and reuse relatively clean domestic wastewater, commonly known as greywater, for gardening and cleaning.
Housing societies and commercial establishments have been asked to implement additional water conservation measures. Citizens have also been advised against unnecessary water storage and urged to report leaking pipelines, damaged water supply lines and water wastage in public places to the civic body.
Action Against Unauthorised Water Connections
The PMC has warned that action will be taken against unauthorised water connections detected by officials or reported by citizens. Criminal cases may also be registered against those responsible.
Residents facing water supply-related problems can register complaints through the PMC call centre at 1800-1030-222, WhatsApp at 9689900002, or the PMC CARE app.
The civic body has stated that any changes to the arrangements for urgent operational reasons will be communicated through its official website, www.pmc.gov.in.
The PMC has appealed to citizens to cooperate with the conservation measures to help ensure an adequate drinking water supply for Pune until August 31, 2027.
