Pune: The Irrigation Department has asked the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations to limit their water use, as they are using more water than the approved quota.
The letter was sent to both commissioners, asking them to use water as per the set criteria by Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority (MWRRA). As per the criteria, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are entitled 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD).
According to letters sent to both civic bodies recently by the superintending engineer of Pune Irrigation Department SD Chopade, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is using 16 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water, whereas, it is entitled to 11.5 TMC.
In case of Pimpri-Chinchwad, a quota of 4.84 TMC has been reserved for the city, but it is using 0.5 TMC more water than the approved quota.
Strict criteria
The letter states that if the civic bodies use more water than the permissible quota, then they have to pay penalties for use of excess water. The letter has enclosed an order of MWRRA that was passed on September 22. The order has set the criterion for distribution of surface water entitlements by river basin agencies for domestic and industrial uses.
If this criteria is strictly implemented, the project for drawing water from Andhra and Bhama Askhed dam could come under scrutiny. These norms are inclusive of commercial, institutional and minor industry requirements.24x7 water supply
When asked about the issue, VG Kulkarni, Chief Superintendent of PMC Water Department, said, “We will reply appropriately to irrigation department’s correspondence. Although, the criteria for Pune city is 135 LPCD in new norms, it is going to change if the PMC implements 24x7 water supply scheme. After implementation of 24X7 water supply scheme, the leakages in the system are going to be plugged. Hence, this criteria is going to increase and there will be no need to cut the quota given to Pune city.”
Domestic water distribution
Category As per norms (LPCD)
Rural water supply schemes 55
Pre Urban Areas 70
Municipal councils
C Class 70
B Class 100
A Class 125
Municipal councils with population less than 50 lakh 135
Municipal councils with population more than 50 lakh 150
