The Times of India              24.05.2013

Water demand drops with cuts imposed

PUNE: The city has reported a remarkable drop in water consumption last year, the reason rooted not in judicious consumption but the water cuts that the civic body has imposed. Citizens have used nearly 2 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) less water in 2012-13, as compared to the previous year (2011-12), owing to the water cuts imposed since March 2012.

"The water consumption of the city has reduced as the city was subjected to water cuts. The citizens have received less water thus resulting in saving nearly 2 TMC water," said V G Kulkarni, head of PMC's water department while speaking to TOI. The civic body had imposed 20 % water cuts last year, and then brought it down to 10% after four months.

The irrigation department has earmarked 11.5 TMC water for Pune, but the city draws over 14 TMC water from Khadakwasla, Temghar, Varasgaon and Panshet dams. The civic body supplies 1,150 MLD (million litres per day) water to the city's population.

In the year 2011-12, the city had used 15.84 TMC water. Kulkarni said that in 2012-13, the water usage was 13.956 TMC, showing a 2 TMC drop in usage. On average, the monthly water usage for city was 1.320 TMC in 2011-12. It came down to 1.183 TMC in the year 2012-2013 because of the water cut. Currently, the city gets water only once a day. The 10% water cut has been in effect since August 2012.

When asked about the status of water availability for the city, Kulkarni said that enough water has been earmarked for the city to last till July 31. The city has used around 1.2 TMC water since April 2013. Nearly the same amount of water will be available in the city for next couple months.