Pipelines cleaned, residents in eastern parts of city can expect clean supply from Bhama Askhed soon

Pune: Residents in the city’s eastern areas may finally heave a sigh of relief. After weeks of frustration and anger over yellowish tap water, Pune Municipal Corporation has completed cleaning the supply lines to resolve the discoloured and potentially unsafe water supply from the Bhama Askhed dam.The move followed protests by frustrated residents, backed by activists and corporators, which compelled the administration to dispatch a team of experts to the Kuruli water treatment plant (WTP), the supply system’s hub, to investigate the crisis. “We did not find any major problem with the treatment plant. The real cause was within the aging supply and distribution network. We found the pipelines clogged with silt, mud and accumulated debris.

This unseen deterioration underground had gradually compromised the water quality,” an official said.An official said an extensive network-wide flushing operation was carried out immediately. “Now that the major supply lines have been cleaned, the worst is over. Clean water should start flowing again soon,” the official said.Former corporator Siddharth Dhende said such lapses could pose serious health risks.

“The administration must step up pipeline maintenance. Bhama Askhed is a critical project serving a massive population. Vigilance cannot be optional,” he said.Officials from PMC’s water supply and electrical departments said they would monitor the supply from Kuruli treatment plant over the next few days. “The administration will approach the team of experts in case of recurrence of supply of muddy, smelly or coloured water,” an official from the civic water supply department said.For the residents, reassurance is not enough. They have demanded scientific proof. Many are calling for daily laboratory testing of water samples, and more importantly, for those reports to be made public. “We need transparency. People deserve to know what they’re consuming. Clear test reports will not only ensure safety but also prevent panic and misinformation,” resident Sujit Shirke said.