GBS Outbreak Sparks Concerns Over Unregulated RO Water Plants in Pimpri Chinchwad
Pune Divisional Commissioner Orders Disciplinary Action Over GBS Outbreak, Contaminated Water Supply
Pimpri-Chinchwad, February 6, 2025 – Amid rising concerns over Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases linked to contaminated water, questions have emerged regarding the regulation of private Reverse Osmosis (RO) water plants in Pimpri-Chinchwad. It has come to light that neither the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) nor the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has any control over these private water supply units, raising concerns about their safety and operations.
The city has reported several suspected cases of GBS, with one fatality. Given the possibility of the disease being waterborne, the municipal corporation has advised residents to consume only purified and boiled water. Despite this, RO water jars are widely used in private offices and households, with demand increasing significantly during summer. However, there is no official oversight on these projects, leading to an unchecked rise in their numbers. Many RO plants reportedly use borewell water, raising further concerns about water quality.
PCMC’s Water Supply Department admitted that the municipal body does not have data on the exact number of RO plants operating in the city. He stated that discussions will be held with the commissioner to decide on potential regulations. Meanwhile, FDA clarified that their authority extends only to packaged water bottles with labels and seals, not private RO plants.
In response to the GBS outbreak, PCMC has started collecting water samples from wells, borewells, and RO plants. So far, 19 RO water plants have undergone testing. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh has warned that any RO plant found supplying contaminated water will face immediate sealing.
