Pune’s rivers in the grip of pollution as 60 crore litres of untreated sewage are discharged directly into riverbeds !

Pune – Every day, the Pune Municipal Corporation supplies a total of 68 crore litres of treated water to the city – 55 crore litres from Pavana Dam, 3 crore litres from MIDC sources and 10 crore litres from the Andra Water Supply Scheme. In all, the city consumes nearly 100 crore litres of water daily, generating almost an equal quantity of sewage.

Of the total sewage generated, only about 40 crore litres are treated at the Municipal Corporation’s 42 sewage treatment plants. The remaining 60 crore litres are discharged directly into the riverbeds without any treatment. As a result, the Mula, Pavana and Indrayani rivers are being severely polluted.

This is one of the reasons for the rampant growth of water hyacinth in the rivers. Pollution has led to a foul odour, mosquito infestation and, in some places, the formation of white foam on the water surface. Fish in the rivers are dying.

To meet the needs of the city’s growing population, the Municipal Corporation plans to establish 12 sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 43.5 crore litres, Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni said.