Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is likely to order the closure of swimming pools and vehicle washing centres from June 25 if water levels in the dams did not improve, civic officials said on Tuesday. The proposed move is part of a series of water-conservation measures being considered amid a delayed monsoon and falling reservoir levels.“If there is no significant rainfall soon and dam levels do not improve, stricter measures, including the closure of swimming pools and vehicle washing centres, may be announced on June 25,” a senior PCMC official said, after the administration issued an advisory urging residents to use water judiciously and refrain from using potable water for non-essential activities.Officials clarified that PCMC was not immediately considering extending the existing alternate-day supply system. “A reduction in the volume of water supplied remains an option if reservoir levels continue to decline,” the official said.According to the water supply department, Pavana dam, the primary source of drinking water for Pimpri Chinchwad, holds about 20% live storage, while Andra dam has around 30%. The combined water stock in both reservoirs is about 5% lower than the level recorded on the corresponding day last year. “The available stock can last till early Aug, provided conservation measures are implemented effectively,” another civic official said.Mayor Ravi Landge had last week written to PCMC commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi, urging immediate action to curb non-essential water usage. “The delayed onset of monsoon could put additional pressure on available water resources,” Suryawanshi said, calling for collective efforts to conserve water. Landge also appealed to the residents to adopt water-saving habits and actively participate in water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives.Commercial vehicle washing centres have been advised to use water recycling systems, while swimming pool operators have been asked to avoid refilling pools with fresh water. PCMC has also urged residents to repair leaking taps, pipelines and flush tanks, install water-saving fixtures and prevent wastage caused by overflowing overhead tanks. Housing societies, hospitals, educational institutions and industries have been told to maintain rainwater harvesting systems to maximise groundwater recharge during the monsoon.
