In Pune, there's a serious problem with the water quality. Over 40% of the water supplied to homes has been found to have dangerous germs like E. coli and too many dissolved solids. The Pune Municipal Corporation tested 250 water samples from different areas between September 1 and September 15, 2023, and 103 of them didn't meet safe drinking water standards. This means your water at home could also be unsafe, as the problem is occurring in 12 big districts of the city.
The bad water quality is causing health issues. Since August 2023, hospitals have reported a 27% rise in illnesses caused by dirty water. Areas like Hadapsar, Kothrud, and Aundh are the worst hit, with dangerous levels of germs and other harmful substances. The water tests showed that the number of germs in some samples was more than 500 CFU/mL and the nitrate levels were also too high.
To help fix the problem, the municipal authorities are using emergency chlorination at 15 water treatment plants. However, this isn't enough to solve the widespread contamination. They've also sent out 25 mobile testing units to check water quality for free, so you can find out if your water is safe.
Many people are spending a lot of money on bottled water and purification systems because of this crisis. It's estimated that residents are spending around ₹2.5 crore every day just on clean water. The municipal corporation has set aside ₹15 crore for repairs and improvements to water treatment facilities, which will happen over the next three months.
You should also be careful if your home has underground water tanks. Most cases of contamination are linked to these tanks that aren't kept clean. To stay safe, the authorities recommend boiling water for at least three minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.
They've a 24-hour helpline (020-25501000) where you can report problems with your water and ask for help. The situation is still serious, and the authorities are working hard to find out where the contamination is coming from. They hope to fix everything by December 2023. Please make sure to follow safety guidelines to protect yourself and your family.
