Pune Water Wastage Fine Up to ₹10,000: What PMC Has Banned

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will fine residents, builders and businesses up to ₹10,000 for misusing drinking water, Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale announced this week, as the city copes with a weekly water cut and a state-ordered 10% reduction in use. The order was issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur, according to Free Press Journal and Indian Opinion, which drew on Indian Express and Times of India reports. Reports do not say from which date the penalties apply.

₹10,000 Fines for Pools, Car Washes and Builders

Municipal drinking water can no longer be used for swimming pools or private gardens; the fine is ₹10,000. Builders, road contractors and ready-mix concrete plants must use treated water from sewage plants, or borewell and well water, or face the same fine and possible stop-work action. Vehicle washing centres must shut during scheduled water cuts, also at ₹10,000. Centres running on their own borewell or well water may open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Free Press Journal reported.

Smaller penalties apply too: ₹5,000 and immediate disconnection for an unauthorised connection, ₹1,000 for an overflowing tank, and ₹10,000 for a leaking water tanker. The first two violations draw fines; a third brings legal action, the reports said.

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Weekly Thursday Cuts Since 15 October

The rules follow the PMC’s decision to stop supply across the city every Thursday from 15 October and to ask residents, societies and institutions to cut use by at least 10%. That target came from a state Water Resources Department resolution dated 5 October, which allows it to be raised so that stored water lasts until 31 August 2027, Punekar News reported on 12 October.

Housing societies will get notices to restart sewage treatment plants that are not working and to use the treated water for gardens and toilet flushing. The corporation also plans to encourage automatic float valves to stop tank overflows.

Nodal Officers Must Report by the 15th

Each PMC department involved, from water supply to building permissions and roads, must name a nodal officer and send an action-taken report to the water supply department by the 15th of every month. Officials who are lax face disciplinary action, the order says. Indian Opinion reported that opposition leader Nilesh Nikam backed a demand for a water tax waiver, and that a senior PMC tax official said any waiver would need approval from the general body and the standing committee.

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Source: Based on reporting by Free Press Journal, Indian Opinion and Punekar News.

Image: Khadakwasla Dam, Pune / Wikimedia Commons.