Water Board MD Ashok Reddy orders vigilance on water supply and sewerage during festivals
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Water Board Managing Director Ashok Reddy has instructed officials to take preventive measures against disruptions in drinking water supply and sewage overflows on roads during the upcoming festivals, including Bathukamma. He advised all departments to work in coordination so that people do not face any inconvenience during the festivals.
A review meeting was held via Zoom on Sunday with the Water Board EDs, Directors, CGMs, GMs and other senior officials. Several orders were issued to the officials on water supply, sewerage management, establishment of green water tankers, functioning of STPs, alternative water sources and summer action plans.
The MD ordered special monitoring to prevent sewage overflows in areas with heavy traffic, on main roads and at places where festivals are held. He said manholes and sewerage lines should be inspected in advance and preventive measures taken in problematic areas. He also suggested that complaints be responded to and resolved immediately after they are received, and that necessary personnel and machinery be made available.
Green water tankers to start from November 1
The MD ordered arrangements to start the proposed green water tanker services from November 1 to supply treated sewage for construction, landscaping and other works that do not require drinking water. He said special attention should be paid to the registration of tankers, uniform branding and development of filling stations.
Reddy said that, in addition to the system in which consumers can set up their own tankers and get treated water, a facility to book tankers registered with the Water Board online should be made available. He said the IT department should work in coordination to complete the digital platform arrangements and conduct a trial run by October 20.
The MD clarified that special attention should be paid to the performance of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the city and the quality of treated water. He made it clear that officials from the Projects, O&M and AMRUT departments should jointly visit the STPs and inspect the treatment process, laboratory performance, quality tests and record management.
He ordered that deficiencies in STPs that do not meet the prescribed quality standards be identified and technical improvements made through the relevant agencies. He said additional filters and further treatment processes should be examined where necessary, and steps should be taken to improve quality within a month.
He also suggested that the capacity of existing filling stations for the supply of treated water at the STPs be increased and that suitable areas be identified for new centres. He ordered that meters be installed at each filling station to measure the quantity of water, and that supply details be recorded and monitored.