Pune: BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar has demanded that the PMC conduct a comprehensive audit of all water ATMs across the city after laboratory test report of samples collected from an installation in Karvenagar revealed the water was unfit for human consumption.“These ATMs are often operated by private players, and the source of their water must be verified,” Khardekar said. “A large number of students rely on these facilities. If the water quality is compromised, it poses a significant health hazard to them.” He also sought a probe by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) into the water quality of public water ATMs.The PMC’s technical analysis of two samples taken from the Karvenagar site found that “residual chlorine” was entirely absent. Further, the water’s hardness levels were significantly below municipal standards. While PMC-supplied drinking water typically maintains a hardness of 25 PPM, the samples tested recorded levels of only 10 PPM and 13 PPM.“Because these levels are drastically lower than our standard supply, it appears that the water being sold is not sourced from the PMC’s treated drinking water system,” a senior PMC official stated.These ATMs are strategically located in high-footfall areas, including colleges, hostels, bus stops, railway stations, and public gardens. They are highly popular among students and the floating population due to their affordability, with some charging as little as Rs1 per litre. While some are operated by private entities, others were installed by the PMC using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.In response to the findings, the civic administration has initiated a crackdown. Hemant Jagtap, a senior official with the PMC’s water department, confirmed that directives have been issued to shut down the non-compliant ATMs.“We have found that many operators are using borewell water, which is not potable and has not been cleared for distribution. The administration has not granted permission for such sources, and the unauthorised commercial use of water in this manner is strictly prohibited,” Jagtap said.
