Residents of Wakad, Ravet complain of contaminated drinking water since May last week
According to residents of Wakad, Ravet and nearby areas under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), they have been receiving contaminated drinking water - which is muddy, greenish in colour, and has a foul taste - since the last week of May, causing health concerns.
The residents of these areas said that several complaints have been lodged on the PCMC's 'Sarathi' portal and that many residents are complaining of stomach upset and diarrhoea.
Sachin Londe, a citizen-activist from Wakad, said that two residents from their housing society have been hospitalised due to consumption of contaminated water. 'We have to spend thousands of rupees for testing the water. The PCMC is disconnecting the water supply of societies with defunct sewage treatment plants (STPs). While the civic body is alert about sending property tax reminders, why can't it be equally alert about supplying safe drinking water. When is it going to fulfil its duty?' Londe questioned.
Sandip Yeole, a resident of Horizon Society in Wakad, said that the society which houses 266 flats has been receiving dirty water since the last week of May. 'Since May 26/27, the water has either been greenish or muddy. The taste is also strange. Many residents have fallen sick with stomach ache and other complaints,' Yeole said. To prevent further health risks, the society has stopped using tap water for drinking purposes. 'We are using tanker water for domestic purposes and are buying packaged water for drinking. The issue seems to be from the PCMC's main water supply line,' Yeole said.
According to residents, some societies are even receiving drinking water with worms in it. The TDS of the drinking water has risen significantly and measures between 200 to 250 ppm. Initially, everyone thought that the contaminated water supply was restricted to their house or society. However, when several people in the area started falling sick, residents discovered that the entire area had the problem.
Sachin Siddhe, a resident of Nano Homes in Ravet, said that the problem is widespread in Pimpri-Chinchwad. 'At first, people thought the problem was with their individual water tanks or RO purifiers. But later, everyone realised that the greenish and bad-smelling water was being supplied to all areas. The PCMC should solve the problem on a priority basis,' he said.
According to Siddhe, PCMC officials have admitted that there is an issue with their water filtration unit. However, they have maintained that the overall water quality is not harmful—an assurance residents are finding difficult to believe given the growing number of people falling sick, he said.
Pramod Ombhase, joint city engineer, PCMC, said, 'We have received complaints from residents about contaminated water supply. We will take preventive measures on priority. The water lines will be flushed and the citizens will once again get safe and clean water for drinking,' he said.
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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Residents of Wakad, Ravet complain of contaminated drinking water since May last week
According to residents of Wakad, Ravet and nearby areas under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), they have been receiving contaminated drinking water - which is muddy, greenish in colour, and has a foul taste - since the last week of May, causing health concerns. The residents of these areas said that several complaints have been lodged on the PCMC's 'Sarathi' portal and that many residents are complaining of stomach upset and diarrhoea. Sachin Londe, a citizen-activist from Wakad, said that two residents from their housing society have been hospitalised due to consumption of contaminated water. 'We have to spend thousands of rupees for testing the water. The PCMC is disconnecting the water supply of societies with defunct sewage treatment plants (STPs). While the civic body is alert about sending property tax reminders, why can't it be equally alert about supplying safe drinking water. When is it going to fulfil its duty?' Londe questioned. Sandip Yeole, a resident of Horizon Society in Wakad, said that the society which houses 266 flats has been receiving dirty water since the last week of May. 'Since May 26/27, the water has either been greenish or muddy. The taste is also strange. Many residents have fallen sick with stomach ache and other complaints,' Yeole said. To prevent further health risks, the society has stopped using tap water for drinking purposes. 'We are using tanker water for domestic purposes and are buying packaged water for drinking. The issue seems to be from the PCMC's main water supply line,' Yeole said. According to residents, some societies are even receiving drinking water with worms in it. The TDS of the drinking water has risen significantly and measures between 200 to 250 ppm. Initially, everyone thought that the contaminated water supply was restricted to their house or society. However, when several people in the area started falling sick, residents discovered that the entire area had the problem. Sachin Siddhe, a resident of Nano Homes in Ravet, said that the problem is widespread in Pimpri-Chinchwad. 'At first, people thought the problem was with their individual water tanks or RO purifiers. But later, everyone realised that the greenish and bad-smelling water was being supplied to all areas. The PCMC should solve the problem on a priority basis,' he said. According to Siddhe, PCMC officials have admitted that there is an issue with their water filtration unit. However, they have maintained that the overall water quality is not harmful—an assurance residents are finding difficult to believe given the growing number of people falling sick, he said. Pramod Ombhase, joint city engineer, PCMC, said, 'We have received complaints from residents about contaminated water supply. We will take preventive measures on priority. The water lines will be flushed and the citizens will once again get safe and clean water for drinking,' he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Early onset of rain leads to rise in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases reported in Pune city
1 2 3 Pune: The early onset of rain this year in the city has led to a spike in the number of viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in May, which is not usually a monsoon month. Officials said there has been a reported rise in waterborne infections both in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations' limits. As per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the city saw 14 viral hepatitis cases and 29 typhoid or enteric fever cases in May 2025 alone, which in the corresponding period in 2024 stood at six viral hepatitis cases and 16 typhoid cases. PMC chief health officer Dr Nina Borade said, "The early onset of monsoon is bound to bring in more vector-borne and waterborne infections. The mosquito breeding cycle has changed; changed climate also often affects immunity. However, this spike is not high. Also, PMC's water purification cycle is in place and effective. We recently tested our water samples, and they were found to be safe to drink." Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits are also recording a slight rise in waterborne infections. PCMC chief medical officer Laxman Gophane said there has been a noticeable increase in typhoid and hepatitis cases in May this year compared to the same period last year — but he emphasized that the data is still being analysed in the context of past trends before concluding if it constitutes a significant surge. "In May 2024, we recorded 58 typhoid cases, which have risen to 78 this year. Similarly, hepatitis cases have slightly increased from 13 last year to 15 this May," Gophane said. He added that health officials are closely monitoring the situation through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal and immediately alert the teams concerned if any sharp rise is observed. "At present, the situation is under control, and civic hospitals are fully equipped to manage such cases," he said. Doctors said there has been a reported rise in private hospitals as well. Dr Mukesh Budhwani, general physician and diabetologist, Apollo Clinic, Vimannagar, said, "Early monsoon causes sharp spike in viral hepatitis and typhoid cases in Pune city. We have witnessed several patients at the clinic reporting monsoon-related health issues. In the past two weeks alone, we have witnessed more than 50-60 patients of viral fever, infection, cough and cold, or serious illnesses like typhoid, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach infections. This is a 20% rise in the number of cases that we usually observe around this time." He added, "We recommend taking precautions like drinking purified water, using mosquito repellents, and maintaining good hygiene to prevent waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. Boost immunity with vitamin C, probiotics, and antioxidants. Stay hydrated and active and stick to home-cooked meals to minimize health risks in the monsoon." Dr Pramod Katre, gastroenterologist at Noble Hospital, said, "The onset of monsoon brings along waterborne diseases like hepatitis (A and E), typhoid and jaundice. This is because of contaminated water. Hepatitis is seen more in smaller children than adults due to contaminated water and food. In most, it is self-limiting and requires a medication course of one or two weeks. In some cases, it can get serious and affect the liver. The common symptoms are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. It is important to consult a doctor if symptoms are seen as early detection can help in timely treatment and avoid complications later. There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and typhoid, which can be beneficial for children and adults." Doctors also recommended some simple precautionary steps during early stages and for the monsoon season — carry your own water bottle, boil water, ensure hand hygiene before eating and avoid outside food.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation revised development plan: No quota for toilets for women, disabled in draft plan, says former standing panel chief
Former Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) standing committee chairperson Seema Sawale on Tuesday raised concern over the 'complete absence' of any reservation for public toilets and urinals, primarily for women and disabled citizens, in the recently published Revised Draft Development Plan (DP) 2025 for Pimpri-Chinchwad. In her objections sent to PCMC, Sawale emphasised that this 'critical blunder' profoundly undermines public health, gender equity as well as the dignity and accessibility needs of women, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. The draft DP has also failed to comply with crucial national and global sanitation mandates. As per the draft development plan, PCMC's population is projected to soar from an estimated 27 lakh in 2021 to 42.45 lakh by 2031 and a staggering 61 lakh by 2041. The absence of any dedicated plot for public sanitation in the Revised Draft Development Plan is a critical oversight. Despite extensive reservations for amenities like schools and parks across 173.12 this essential public health infrastructure has been conspicuously ignored, Sawale said. 'The absence of public toilets encourages open urination and defecation, contributing to the spread of diseases like cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid. The proximity of PCMC to rivers such as Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula too heightens the risk of water contamination from unmanaged human waste. This pollution affects drains and public spaces, undermining urban hygiene and conflicting with PCMC's sustainable development objectives,' Sawale said. Sawale said the absence of accessible and appropriate sanitation facilities disproportionately affects women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Sawale said that pregnant as well as women undergoing menstruation face severe hygiene challenges and increased health risks such as urinary tract infections due to the lack of safe and adequate toilets. 'For persons with disabilities and senior citizens, the complete absence of accessible toilets severely restricts their participation in public life,' she said. The draft DP directly disregards the Swachh Bharat Mission's (SBM) mandate for universal public sanitation, which recommends one public toilet seat per 200-250 users. It also ignores the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines recommending public toilets every 500–1,000 metres along arterial roads. Furthermore, the DP fails to align with the National Urban Sanitation Policy and Sustainable Development Goals for Clean Water and Sanitation, which targets adequate sanitation by 2030, Sawale alleged. Sawale has urged the PCMC to reserve land for public toilets and urinals at regular intervals along arterial and sub-arterial roads, bus stands, metro stations, and marketplaces, ensuring these facilities are gender-segregated, accessible for persons with disabilities, and suitable for the elderly. Additionally, she calls for a citywide toilet masterplan to ensure sustainable sanitation infrastructure. PCMC has called for suggestions and objections from the public for the draft of the revised development plan. Sawale has urged citizens to file their suggestions/objections and raise the issue of reserving space for public toilets and urinals.
