Lab results obtained by BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar show the water lacks essential disinfection, making it unfit for consumption (Express photo).
In a troubling development amid Pune’s worsening water shortage, private agencies in Karvenagar are allegedly selling non-potable water through ‘water ATMs’. The practice has sparked significant health concerns for local residents, particularly students, who rely on these machines for affordable drinking water.
Senior BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar exposed the racket after noticing a high volume of students purchasing water from these kiosks at Rs 1 per litre. Suspicious of the source, Khardekar coordinated with local civic water supply staff to conduct laboratory testing on samples from two ATMs.
“A large number of girl students reside in the area and gather at the water ATM to purchase water. Thus, I had the local civic water supply staff conduct a laboratory test of the water, and it was found to be non-potable,” — said Khardekar.
Laboratory testing of water from the two water ATMs in Karvenagar revealed no detectable residual chlorine, and the water’s hardness was half the required level for potable water. Thus, the water is not for drinking purposes.
“It is currently unknown whether these ATMs are tapping into the civic supply, borewells, or private wells,” Khardekar said. “Furthermore, there is no clarity on whether these agencies have any legal permission to sell water in this manner.”In a communication to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Khardekar questioned whether private agencies are allowed to sell water from the PMC’s natural sources. He also asked why the agency had not displayed a non-potable water board at the water ATM, as this determines who is responsible if citizens fall ill from consuming it. He also sought information on how many such water ATMs are operational in the city and if they have permission from the civic body.
Conduct inquiry, Khardekar urges PMC
Khardekar urged the PMC to immediately conduct an inquiry through a site visit and take appropriate steps to prevent citizens from consuming non-potable water to avoid health issues. “I have told the local civic water supply staff that they will be held responsible if any citizens face health issues due to consumption of the non-potable water sold through the water ATM,” he said.
The BJP leader also raised an alarm about mismanagement at the PMC’s water-refilling centre near Patwardhanbaug in Erandwane. “The water meter installed by PMC at the water refilling station for water tankers is non-operational. There is no accounting for how many tanker trips take place from the refilling point, leading to civic loss,”
— said Khardekar.
He said that in the past, citizens found that only 18 water refills were registered at the refilling point, but that more than 50 refills were actually carried out that day.
Incidentally, the rising temperatures in the city have increased citizens’ demand for water. Also, the state water resources department has urged the civic body to reduce its water consumption to ensure that the water stock in the dams lasts until August 31 to meet the demands of the city and Pune district. Many residential areas have to resort to purchasing water from tankers to meet increased demand in summer.
