PCMC stops new water connection for two months, launches drive against unauthorised connections

Time of India

08-05-2025

Pune: PCMC has decided to halt new water connections for around two months from now and crack down on illegal supply lines.The move is aimed at ensuring consistent supply and curbing wastage amid growing complaints of water scarcity across Pimpri Chinchwad, a senior civic official said.
"Measures like not giving new water connections for two months were being considered only for new projects and this may not be applicable for old properties and independent houses," the official said. Inspections would be intensified at construction sites to ensure use of recycled water, he added.The current water stock in the city's dams was expected to last till July. In addition, a significant drop in groundwater levels had been observed, with many borewells already running dry.Municipal officials said they also received several complaints about rising rates charged by private water tankers.
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
(PCMC) has been providing alternate day water supply to citizens since 2019.
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Many housing societies rely on water tankers, especially during summer, to meet their daily needs.Officials from the water supply department said that unauthorised connections, misuse of potable water for washing vehicles, and inactive sewage treatment plants (STPs) had exacerbated the issue of water scarcity.Earlier last month, civic officials had launched a drive against illegal motor and pump connections on civic water supply lines.
Rules prohibit connecting electric motors or pumps directly to the PCMC's water supply line.The civic body has rolled out a set of measures to curb misuse. Housing societies and commercial establishments, including malls, have been instructed to reuse treated water from their STPs. Those who fail to comply would face strict penalties, including disconnection. Similarly, washing centres and individuals using drinking water for cleaning vehicles would face punitive action, the official said."The population of Pimpri Chinchwad has doubled from 17 lakh in 2011 to approximately 35 lakh, while the increase in water supply has been only 35%. Despite this, PCMC has been consistently providing water supply to citizens throughout the year. However, due to unauthorised usage and high summer demand, the supply is strained," he said.Ajay Suryawanshi, joint city engineer of PCMC, urged residents to use water responsibly. "Until monsoon arrives, everyone must cooperate. Those found wasting water or using it through illegal means will face strict action," he said.Residents and housing society representatives emphasised the need for PCMC to address unauthorised connections as a priority. Sanjeevan Sangle, chairman of Chikhali-Moshi Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation, said, "The civic body failed to take strong action against illegal connections." He added that many societies in Chikhali and Moshi had already shifted to tanker supply over the past month due to insufficient PCMC water supply.According to official data, nearly 40% of the city's water supply has been categorised as non-revenue water (NRW). This includes a large number of unauthorised water connections. Around 15% of water is lost due to leakage.Vishal Pandey, a resident of Wakad, said, "Though there is no increase in tanker charges in our area, the number of tankers in our society has increased. We are forced to pay for tankers despite paying all our taxes to the municipal corporation on time."