Pune: Residents of several areas in Pimpri Chinchwad, such as Wakad, Ravet, Punawale, and Tathwade, have raised concern over supply of contaminated water from the civic body.Many reported that the colour of tap water had turned yellow over the past few days, with some experiencing health issues such as stomach discomfort.Shreyas Bobade, a resident of Edenn Tower Housing Society on Dutta Mandir Road in Wakad, said, “Initially, we thought it was a temporary issue due to the rain. But soon several residents of our society reported similar problems, and a few even went to the hospital due to stomach discomfort. One of the residents shared a video of worms in the water on our society WhatsApp group, which raised serious concern over the quality of water supplied by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).“Sachin Londhe, a resident of Nandan Inspera Housing Society who also experienced stomach-related issues, said, “We cleaned our water tank last week, so initially we assumed that this might be the cause but then go to know that other societies were facing the same issue. I tried to report the matter to the local ward office, but there was no response. I also raised the matter with the municipal commissioner.”Residents also reported a rise in total dissolved solids (TDS) level in water supplied by PCMC. Sachin Siddhe, a resident of Nano Homes Cooperative Housing Society in Ravet, said, “The taste of water has changed, and some members also complained about an unpleasant odour. We received contaminated water over the last two weeks and escalated the issue with PCMC via their helpline.”Several residents pointed out that the situation was better during last year’s monsoon and no such contamination was reported. This time, however, multiple complaints surfaced, raising concern over potential health risk. Many societies clean their water storage tanks every three or six months, and large number of households have installed water filters at home.Sagar Surwade, a resident of Kohinoor Saphire Society in Tathwade, said they cleaned the storage water tank in April this year. “Soon after residents reported increased TDS level and change of taste in water, and we immediately reported the matter to officials of the water supply department at the local ward office. They assured us that they would look into it,” he said.Residents of Punawale also shared the same experience. Vitthal Baral, a resident of Yashone Infinitee Housing Society, said, “The average TDS reported in our water was less than 100, but it has been above 200 since the last week, which has raised concern among the residents. Additionally, the water colour is also yellow.”Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh told TOI that there was no issue from the supply line of PCMC, but there could be some problem at the local level, which was being addressed based on the complaints received. “We test almost 200 random water samples every day, and there have been no reports of contamination so far. The teams are responding to complaints about contamination, and these are being addressed on priority,” he said.A senior official from PCMC’s water supply department said that due to the arrival of the monsoon, the turbidity of water in the dam from where the civic body gets the supply has increased, and this has likely affected the colour and taste of water. “However, it is safe for drinking, and the colour will also be normal in a day or two as we have addressed this issue. We still urge people to boil water before drinking during the monsoon,” he said.Pune: Residents of several areas in Pimpri Chinchwad, such as Wakad, Ravet, Punawale, and Tathwade, have raised concern over supply of contaminated water from the civic body.Many reported that the colour of tap water had turned yellow over the past few days, with some experiencing health issues such as stomach discomfort.Shreyas Bobade, a resident of Edenn Tower Housing Society on Dutta Mandir Road in Wakad, said, “Initially, we thought it was a temporary issue due to the rain. But soon several residents of our society reported similar problems, and a few even went to the hospital due to stomach discomfort. One of the residents shared a video of worms in the water on our society WhatsApp group, which raised serious concern over the quality of water supplied by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).“Sachin Londhe, a resident of Nandan Inspera Housing Society who also experienced stomach-related issues, said, “We cleaned our water tank last week, so initially we assumed that this might be the cause but then go to know that other societies were facing the same issue. I tried to report the matter to the local ward office, but there was no response. I also raised the matter with the municipal commissioner.”Residents also reported a rise in total dissolved solids (TDS) level in water supplied by PCMC. Sachin Siddhe, a resident of Nano Homes Cooperative Housing Society in Ravet, said, “The taste of water has changed, and some members also complained about an unpleasant odour. We received contaminated water over the last two weeks and escalated the issue with PCMC via their helpline.”Several residents pointed out that the situation was better during last year’s monsoon and no such contamination was reported. This time, however, multiple complaints surfaced, raising concern over potential health risk. Many societies clean their water storage tanks every three or six months, and large number of households have installed water filters at home.Sagar Surwade, a resident of Kohinoor Saphire Society in Tathwade, said they cleaned the storage water tank in April this year. “Soon after residents reported increased TDS level and change of taste in water, and we immediately reported the matter to officials of the water supply department at the local ward office. They assured us that they would look into it,” he said.Residents of Punawale also shared the same experience. Vitthal Baral, a resident of Yashone Infinitee Housing Society, said, “The average TDS reported in our water was less than 100, but it has been above 200 since the last week, which has raised concern among the residents. Additionally, the water colour is also yellow.”Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh told TOI that there was no issue from the supply line of PCMC, but there could be some problem at the local level, which was being addressed based on the complaints received. “We test almost 200 random water samples every day, and there have been no reports of contamination so far. The teams are responding to complaints about contamination, and these are being addressed on priority,” he said.A senior official from PCMC’s water supply department said that due to the arrival of the monsoon, the turbidity of water in the dam from where the civic body gets the supply has increased, and this has likely affected the colour and taste of water. “However, it is safe for drinking, and the colour will also be normal in a day or two as we have addressed this issue. We still urge people to boil water before drinking during the monsoon,” he said.
