Key Development

Several neighbourhoods in Pune have reported sewage contamination in the municipal drinking water supply over the past few months, raising concerns about water quality and household food safety. Residents report that discoloured, foul-smelling water continues to flow from taps in Sasanenagar, Kondhwa, Hadapsar, Kharadi and parts of Katraj.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has acknowledged the contamination and begun corrective measures. Through a citywide survey, PMC’s water supply department identified sewage ingress in multiple areas, including Shivnerinagar, Bhagyodayanagar, Santosh Nagar, Anjani Nagar and Yerawada.

Impact on Drinking and Food Preparation

Contaminated tap water directly compromises household food safety. Residents routinely use municipal water for drinking, cooking, washing vegetables, cleaning utensils and preparing beverages, increasing the risk of exposure.

In several affected areas, residents have started boiling water and buying packaged drinking water as a precaution. Reported cases of jaundice in some pockets have heightened health concerns. Public health experts warn that when sewage enters drinking water pipelines, harmful microorganisms can contaminate food during preparation if households use untreated water.

Ageing Pipelines Linked to Cross-Contamination

Preliminary inspections attribute the contamination to ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure. In several older settlements, sewage and drinking water pipelines run through common chambers or lie in close proximity. Cracked drainage chambers, corroded pipelines and rodent damage have increased the risk of leakage. In some areas, drainage lines run above or alongside water supply pipelines, heightening the possibility of cross-contamination during monsoon rains or pipeline bursts. Former mayor Vaishali Bankar raised the issue in the civic body, stating that leakages in old pipelines have led to sewage mixing with drinking water in certain areas.

₹20 Crore Sanctioned for Repairs

PMC has sanctioned ₹20 crore to repair and replace pipelines at 98 identified locations across the city. Work has commenced at over 50 sites, while tenders are being processed for the remaining areas. Water supply department chief Nandkumar Jagtap said officials are replacing damaged pipelines, repairing drainage chambers and redesigning layouts to ensure physical separation between sewage and drinking water networks. Authorities have begun diverting pipelines away from shared chambers to prevent further contamination.

Source: Pune Times Mirror

Hindustan Times