Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director Ashok Reddy on Saturday urged every apartment and gated community to adopt rainwater harvesting to meet the city’s growing drinking water needs and reduce dependence on water tankers.
Ashok Reddy inaugurated three renovated recharge pits and a recharge system created by converting an old borewell into an injection borewell at Beverly Spring Apartments in Gutla Begumpet. Meanwhile, he interacted with residents and stressed the need to conserve every drop of rainwater.
The Managing Director said apartment associations should not install rainwater harvesting structures merely to obtain building permissions or occupancy certificates. Further, he urged them to scientifically channel rooftop rainwater into recharge pits and injection borewells within their premises.
He said public participation remained essential for ensuring Hyderabad’s long-term water security. Every household and apartment complex, he added, should consider water conservation a shared responsibility.
Last summer, nearly 4,000 apartment complexes depended on HMWSSB tanker water. This year, the number increased to around 12,500. Additionally, tanker bookings continued in several localities despite the ongoing monsoon.
HMWSSB analyses daily tanker booking data to identify areas with high demand. The board also uses the information to deploy filling stations, tankers and staff more efficiently.
Rainwater harvesting can reduce tanker dependence
Ashok Reddy said Ayyappa Society, Kukatpally, S.R. Nagar and Jubilee Hills had recorded high tanker demand in previous years. However, Uppal, LB Nagar, NTR Nagar and Malkajgiri witnessed a sharp rise in bookings during June and July. He attributed the increase to delayed rainfall, declining groundwater levels and drying borewells.
The Managing Director said HMWSSB was expanding pipelines, reservoirs, pumping systems, valves and internal distribution networks to meet the needs of the city’s growing population. Hyderabad receives water from distant sources, including the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Supplying that water requires extensive pumping infrastructure, substantial electricity and continuous monitoring.
Ashok Reddy advised apartment associations to conduct water audits, prevent leakages and convert defunct borewells into recharge pits. According to him, these measures would significantly reduce dependence on tanker water.
He appreciated the rainwater conservation initiative taken up by residents of Beverly Hills Apartments. The Managing Director expressed hope that the colony would eliminate its dependence on tanker water by next year. He also urged other apartment associations and residential colonies to adopt similar rainwater harvesting initiatives and conserve every drop of rainwater.