Pool operators argue that modern filtration and recycling systems conserve water, insisting that swimming pools should not be made scapegoats for the city’s worsening water crisis.
Nagpur: As Nagpur grapples with an intensifying water crisis, falling groundwater levels and restrictions on borewell use, the administration is turning its attention towards the city’s swimming pools. This has raised concerns among pool operators over the possibility of a shutdown amid growing pressure to conserve water.
While operators say they will comply with any directive issued by the District Collector, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) or Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), they argue that swimming pools should not be singled out as major contributors to water wastage.
Two Types of Pools Under the Scanner
Swimming pools in Nagpur broadly fall into two categories: facilities that source water from their own wells or borewells, or from sources such as Ambazari, and those that depend directly on the municipal water supply.
The distinction could become crucial as the administration considers measures to regulate water consumption during the crisis.
‘Our Water Comes From Ambazari, Not Drinking Water Sources’
Prashant Ugemuge, Managing Director of Midland Sports and Wellness, which operates an NIT swimming pool, said the facility uses water from Ambazari for its swimming pool and showers.
“Our pool and shower water comes directly from Ambazari. It has nothing to do with the drinking water supplied to households. People in Nagpur do not consume Ambazari water as drinking water,” he said.
Ugemuge also challenged the perception that swimming pools are regularly emptied and refilled, leading to substantial water wastage.
“Once a pool is filled, the same water continues to be used for months through filtration. The water lost is mainly what spills over during swimming or is consumed through shower use,” he explained.
No shutdown order has been received so far, he said, adding that the facility would comply with any official directive.
Are Daily Habits a Bigger Problem?
Ugemuge argued that household consumption habits also deserve greater scrutiny as the city attempts to conserve its dwindling water resources.
He pointed to prolonged showers, leaving taps running while shaving and other everyday practices that contribute to unnecessary water consumption.
According to him, households could save significant quantities of water by switching to bucket baths and turning off taps when they are not in use.
He also called for wider adoption of treated sewage water for non-drinking purposes, such as vehicle washing and gardening. While some facilities in IT parks already use treated water for these activities, he questioned why similar practices could not be implemented in large residential and commercial buildings.
Modern Pools Recycle Water, Says Swimming Expert
Dr Jayprakash Duble, former Deputy Director of Sports and an international swimming coach who heads the National Institute of Swimming on Manewada-Besa Road, said advances in pool technology have significantly reduced water wastage.
“Earlier, swimming pools had to be emptied every 15 days. Technology has changed since then. Modern pools operate on closed-loop systems in which water is filtered, recycled and reused,” Duble said.
He argued that swimming pools could, under suitable operating conditions, use water more efficiently than individual household bathing.
“If 200 people bathe at home, water from 200 separate bathing sessions goes down the drain. If the same 200 people use a swimming pool, the water can be filtered and reused. With responsible shower practices and efficient systems, a pool can potentially conserve more water than individual bathing arrangements,” he said.
Water Conservation, Not Just Closures, Is the Need of the Hour
With Nagpur’s water crisis deepening, the debate over swimming pools highlights the need to examine how water is sourced, consumed and recycled across the city.
Pool operators maintain that facilities using non-potable sources and modern recycling systems should be assessed differently from those drawing directly from the municipal drinking water network.
Whether the administration decides to impose restrictions remains to be seen. For now, operators are awaiting official directions, while the larger challenge remains ensuring that every sector, from households to commercial establishments, adopts more responsible water-use practices.
The larger question is whether Nagpur can tackle its water crisis through targeted conservation and recycling measures rather than blanket restrictions alone.
