PMC explores possibility of utilising Jambhulwadi lake water for drinking purposes

Pune: The civic administration is considering tapping Jambhulwadi lake in Katraj as a drinking water source, for which PMC's water supply department is working on a detailed project report (DPR) to supply water from the lake to around 30,000 residents in the nearby areas.

The lake, with a capacity of 60 lakh cubic metres, is fed by Katraj and nearby hills. Preliminary estimates suggest Rs 40-50 crore will be needed for infrastructure, including a water purification plant, storage tanks and pipelines. The project aims to supply water to areas like Ambegaon, Jambhulwadi and Kolewadi. PMC is also working on a sewage treatment plant proposal to prevent untreated water from entering the lake.

Residents, however, said the administration was not serious about utilising the lake water for drinking purposes. " Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) should conduct a detailed study to check if water can be used for drinking. If not, it can at least be utilised for other purposes. PMC recently cleared the lake of hyacinth. But with the release of untreated water, the hyacinth has started resurfacing in the lake," Amol Vatkar, a local resident, said.

PMC officials said the proposal was still at the preliminary stage and would be taken up for discussion based on the DPR recommendations.

Water availability in the merged areas has continued to be inadequate despite PMC deploying water tankers. Many areas are spending huge sums of money on private tankers to meet their daily requirements.

Sources from PMC said options were being explored to fetch water from small ponds in the Katraj hill areas, apart from Jambhulwadi lake. Parvati MLA Madhuri Misal had tables a proposal for utilising the water in the ponds a few months back. Misal then told the administration to explore possibilities on whether water can be lifted from the ponds in the Katraj hills. One such pond is located in the Bhilarewadi area.