Water Crisis Looms in Pune: PMC Set to Decide on Alternate-Day Supply Today
Pune, 8th June 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is likely to take a final decision on implementing alternate-day water supply across the city at an emergency meeting scheduled for Monday. The move is being considered due to the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon and critically low water levels in the Khadakwasla dam cluster, which supplies water to Pune.
According to the Irrigation Department, the Khadakwasla dam cluster—comprising the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar reservoirs—has a total storage capacity of 29.15 TMC. At present, only 5.875 TMC of water remains, accounting for just 20.15 per cent of the available storage.
Pune requires nearly 1,500 million litres per day (MLD) of water. With reservoir levels steadily declining and monsoon rains yet to generate substantial inflows, ensuring an adequate water supply until the end of July has emerged as a major challenge for the civic administration.
Officials are also concerned about the possibility of below-normal rainfall this season. In view of the delayed monsoon and the risk of an extended dry spell, the Water Supply Department has prepared a contingency plan aimed at conserving available water resources.
As part of the proposed measures, superintending engineers have been directed to prepare zone-wise water rationing plans. Based on these assessments, the department has recommended supplying water on alternate days through a rotational schedule across different parts of the city.
Earlier, the civic administration had discussed two options to curb water consumption—suspending water supply every Thursday or introducing alternate-day water supply. Officials estimate that the alternate-day supply system could reduce overall water consumption by nearly 25 per cent.
The proposal has already been submitted to the municipal administration through the Additional Municipal Commissioner. A final decision is expected at Monday’s meeting.
If approved, Pune residents may have to adapt to alternate-day water supply until reservoir levels improve with the advancement of the monsoon season.
