Pune: A once-weekly water cut will begin in the PMC areas from Thursday as authorities move to protect dam reserves and brace for a potentially severe summer water shortage. The four dams in the Khadakwasla circle held 26 TMC (89%) of water on Monday as compared with 29 TMC (99%) at the same time last year.The decision follows state govt’s announcement of a 10% cut in water allocations to municipal corporations starting mid-Oct. The weekly closure comes barely three months after PMC withdrew the alternate-day supply introduced on June 15 due to the delayed monsoon.The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on Monday. Additional municipal commissioner Pavneet Kaur issued a detailed circular in this regard and urged residents to promptly report pipeline leakages and cooperate in the city’s effort to conserve water.PMC has rolled out a stringent water conservation plan, under which construction sites can no longer use potable water and must use only treated STP water. The ban on using drinking water for swimming pools and gardening remains in place, and private and public vehicle-washing centres will be shut. Residents have been advised to use borewell water for vehicle washing and other cleaning needs.Housing societies, govt offices and PMC-owned properties have been told to immediately fix leaking pipelines and faulty water systems. Societies must also stop tanks from overflowing and install automatic float valves where required. Residential complexes with sewage treatment plants must run them at full capacity and maximise the reuse of recycled water for flushing and gardening. Citizens are also being encouraged to reuse grey water for non-potable purposes.
