Hyderabad’s water supply is set to receive an additional 60 million gallons a day as the Telangana government prepares for drinking-water stress linked to high temperatures and deficient rainfall under El Nino conditions.
The proposed increase will be added to the city’s existing daily supply of 560 million gallons. The measures were discussed at a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on the drinking-water situation within the limits of the three municipal corporations covering Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri.
For areas within the Comprehensive Urban Re-development and Expansion limits inside the Outer Ring Road, officials proposed drawing an additional 15 million gallons a day from the Krishna river. Another 20 million gallons, and if required a further 20 million gallons, is expected to be made available through Mission Bhagiratha. The government also plans to add five million gallons from the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs.
A further 20 million gallons a day is expected to become available after pipeline work linking Mallannasagar to the city is completed by November, according to details presented at the meeting. The measures are intended to maintain uninterrupted drinking-water supply as demand rises and groundwater levels fall.
Jaju said groundwater levels in Greater Hyderabad had declined significantly over the previous two to three months, leading to an increase in demand for water tankers. He directed officials to take steps to meet the growing demand and prevent hardship for residents. He also called for measures to curb wastage, particularly the use of drinking water for washing vehicles.
The Chief Secretary said that a 20 per cent reduction in consumption across the three municipal corporations could save around 80 million gallons of water every day. He directed officials to launch an intensive 60-day public awareness campaign involving film actors, celebrities and other prominent personalities to promote water conservation.
The government is also seeking to reduce pressure on freshwater sources by expanding the use of treated wastewater. Jaju instructed officials to ensure that sewage treatment plants in gated communities and apartment complexes operate at full capacity. Residents are to be encouraged to use treated wastewater for gardening, vehicle washing and other non-domestic purposes.
Water Board officials said special green tankers were being arranged to supply treated wastewater for these uses. The arrangement is aimed at diverting non-domestic demand away from potable water supplies, although the report did not specify the number of tankers or the areas that will be covered initially.
The government is preparing alternative water arrangements for Medak, Nizamabad, Kamareddy and Sangareddy districts, which depend on the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs. Officials have identified borewells and other alternative water sources in these districts after assessing available water levels.
The immediate response combines additional surface-water allocations, new pipeline capacity, groundwater and tanker planning, and measures to reduce potable-water consumption. The next stated milestone for Hyderabad is the completion of the Mallannasagar pipeline work by November, while the public conservation campaign is expected to run for 60 days.
