For over two months, approximately 300 residents of Satin Brick, a residential complex in Pune's upscale Kharadi area, have completely stopped using tap water for drinking due to persistent contamination. All 84 flats now rely on 30-litre cans of mineral water, as the cloudy, foul-smelling water has caused repeated illnesses among residents.
Pattern of Administrative Apathy
Residents describe a frustrating cycle: they complain about the water supply, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) responds by cleaning nearby sewage lines, water briefly improves, then returns to its questionable state. Gauri Thakur lamented, "In a fairer world, people being forced to drink such contaminated water would have initiated litigation. But in PMC limits, it is just another day." Her four-year-old daughter has been hospitalized since March due to stomach infections from the water.
Test Results Show High Contamination
Samples collected by PMC's health department on April 17 recorded coliform counts of 5 and 9 MPN per 100 millilitres, far above the permissible zero. Turbidity measured 12.8 NTU, exceeding the safe limit of 1 NTU. Health officials claimed only four suspected waterborne disease cases were found and advised boiling water. However, resident Kunal Ranjan countered, reporting many cases. The society spends Rs 1.5 lakh monthly on tanker water.
Thakur added, "My daughter may have caught a bug even while showering. In countries abroad, tap water is safe. High-rises are not development; basics like clean water are. I am an executive forced to beg for clean water. Why are we paying taxes?" Retired businessman Pratap Kothari said his granddaughters fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea, despite not eating outside. Doctors diagnosed stomach infections. "We now buy mineral water. PMC must replace faulty lines," he said.
PMC's Response and Discrepancies
PMC's Bund Garden section officials acknowledged a leak and said it was plugged on April 24, claiming improved water quality. Executive engineer Eknath Gadekar said the latest report shows no coliform. However, follow-up tests on April 27 showed 0 coliform but turbidity at 10 NTU, still unsafe. Residents sent samples to a private lab on April 28, which found coliform at 9 MPN and even 21 MPN, contradicting PMC's assessment.
Assistant health officer Dr Vaishali Jadhav said MSU has sent a letter to the water department to find the root cause and fix it permanently. She also advised the society to service RO plants and boil water for 30 minutes. Corporator Surendra Pathare promised to replace water pipelines, citing illegal connections causing leaks. He admitted authorities failed to address low pressure complaints.
Timeline of Events
- Feb 15: Contamination observed
- Feb 23: PMC repairs after complaint; water runs clean temporarily
- March 15: Contamination noticed again
- March 23: Residents approach PMC water department
- April 13: Residents approach corporator again; Pathare promises resolution
- April 14: PMC cleans sewage lines
- April 17: Sample collected by PMC health department
- April 21: Report shows contamination even after cleaning
- April 23: Second sample collected
- April 27: Report shows no coliform
- April 28: Private lab sample shows coliform presence
- April 30: Private lab declares water unfit for drinking
Broader Kharadi Water Crisis
On May 1, the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA) held a chain-fasting protest demanding a "tanker-free Kharadi." KHSWA represents over 50 societies and 30,000 citizens. Resident Sumit Dusad said, "Residents face double burden of high taxes and rising maintenance costs yet get inadequate water supply." Pravin Zore noted that tanker costs have increased monthly maintenance by 50-80%.
PMC officials responded with a three-point plan: fill water tanks in survey no. 58 to full capacity within 15 days, operationalise an overhead tank in survey no. 38 by May-end, and conduct a survey for a long-term piped water supply system. Pritam Singh from Riverdale Heights society said, "PMC supplies commercial establishments but our 550-family society gets nothing. For six years, we have not received even 4,000 litres per day against an approved quota of 2.5 lakh litres."
The water crisis highlights systemic failures in ensuring safe drinking water, with residents demanding accountability and permanent solutions.
