In response to the escalating water crisis in Hyderabad, the Hyderabad water board is embarking on a collaborative initiative with 18 NGOs to promote rainwater harvesting (RWH) across residential areas. The targeted demographic encompasses approximately 32,000 consumers identified as the highest users of water tankers, based on a recent survey conducted by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), a TOI report stated.
Hyderabad’s Water Guzzlers
Predominantly situated in the city’s western corridor, including Manikonda, Gachibowli, Kondapur, Madhapur, Kukatpally, Jubilee Hills, and Banjara Hills, these consumers predominantly reside in prime real estate hubs characterised by expansive homes and multi-storey buildings, with a significant portion currently under construction.
Dana Kishore, principal secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, highlighted findings from the survey, stating, “Our survey report has found that 65% of consumers’ borewells have dried up and 15% of consumers’ borewells yield has reduced. Groundwater depletion began in the last week of February.” Furthermore, regarding the pattern of tanker bookings, he noted, “As per the survey, 46% of bookings are from individual houses, 44% from multi-storeyed buildings, and remaining 6% from non-domestic (commercial) consumers in the western part of the city.”
The initiative entails the mobilisation of NGOs to engage with these high-consuming consumers, advocating for the installation of RWH structures covering 300 square meters of space within housing societies. “These NGOs will conduct door-to-door checks. They will either ask consumers to build a new RWH if it is missing or ask them to repair their existing RWH in case it is defunct,” explained the MA&UD official.
The timeline for implementation is crucial, with the objective to complete the process before the onset of the monsoon season. In instances where space limitations pose challenges, Dana Kishore suggested exploring rooftop RWH alternatives.
Additionally, in anticipation of heightened water demand, the water board is procuring a new fleet of 365 tankers, slated for deployment from the third week of April. Dana Kishore outlined the logistical preparations, stating, “The MA&UD official instructed the road transport authorities to identify empty trucks to mount new shells (tankers) which are ready by the end of this month.”
Moreover, proactive measures are underway to ensure water availability, including emergency pumping systems for the Krishna and Godavari rivers at take-off sources – Puttamgandi (Nagarjunasagar) and Yellampally (Godavari). Notably, the state government has allocated funds for the construction of a barge to extract raw water should the water levels at primary sources reach critical thresholds.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/hyderabad-water-board-identifies-32000-consumers-in-it-belt-as-water-guzzlers/
