Contaminated RO Water Raises Alarms in Pune GBS-Hit Areas
A serious public health concern has emerged in Pune, as recent water quality tests conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have revealed alarming levels of bacterial contamination in RO water supplied through private vendors, water ATMs, and 20-litre cans. The tests were conducted across Dhayari, Sinhagad Road, Kirkatwadi, Khadakwasla, and Nanded City, areas that have reported cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Of the 30 samples collected on January 28, results showed bacterial levels far exceeding safety standards, with multiple samples recording an MPN (Most Probable Number) bacterial count of 16+, a level deemed highly unsafe for drinking water. The findings suggest that even RO-purified water, considered the most reliable source of clean drinking water in these areas, is failing basic hygiene standards, raising serious concerns about public health and safety.
Widespread Contamination in RO Plants and Water ATMs
PMC’s findings paint a distressing picture of the city’s drinking water infrastructure. Nineteen out of 30 RO plant samples tested positive for coliform bacteria, with 11 of these exceeding the 16+ MPN threshold. Additionally, E. coli—an indicator of severe contamination—was detected in 14 samples, posing a high risk of waterborne diseases. A senior PMC official emphasised that RO-purified water should be free from bacterial contamination, but the results indicate serious lapses in hygiene at the source or during distribution. The 20-litre cans, widely consumed by households, offices, shops, and even medical facilities, were all being filled at these compromised RO plants, inadvertently exposing thousands of residents to unsafe drinking water. The water ATMs, which were heavily relied upon by students and working professionals, also failed quality checks, indicating a systemic issue in water handling and distribution.
Civic Infrastructure and Public Health at Risk
The contaminated water crisis highlights larger civic infrastructure issues, particularly in Pune’s merged villages, where residents have historically relied on tankers and borewells due to inadequate municipal water supply. For many, RO water was their only source of safe drinking water, making this contamination all the more distressing. The failure of private water suppliers to maintain hygiene standards has exposed a glaring regulatory gap, raising questions about how effectively water quality is being monitored in non-municipal sources. Comparatively, cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad have stricter enforcement mechanisms for private water vendors, ensuring higher safety standards. Pune’s case underscores the urgent need for stringent oversight, better regulation, and regular audits of drinking water suppliers to prevent a potential public health emergency.
Sustainability and Long-Term Water Security
From a sustainability standpoint, this crisis highlights the urgent need for investment in a reliable and safe municipal water supply. Over-reliance on private water suppliers and RO plants has led to unsustainable water management practices, as these systems extract excessive groundwater, leading to long-term depletion of water reserves. Ensuring safe and sustainable drinking water requires a multi-pronged approach, including better rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge projects, and investments in municipal water treatment plants. The PMC has vowed to take corrective action, with plans to share test results with the health department and issue notices to violators, but long-term solutions will require a commitment to improving water infrastructure and ensuring access to clean, potable water for all residents.
