Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has decided to serve notices on over 17,000 property owners who have not built rainwater harvesting pits. If they fail to put these structures in place by Dec 31, they will have to pay double tariff for a water tanker from Jan 1, 2025.
According to a survey conducted by the water board, 42,000 structures, spread over 300 square metres or above, need rainwater harvesting structures. At present, 22,000 buildings have rainwater harvesting pits, while 17,000 properties have no such structures.
In united Andhra Pradesh, under APWALTA 2002, it was mandatory for installation of rainwater harvesting structures in buildings in plot areas exceeding 200 sq. metres. However, this requirement was subsequently modified to 300 sq. metres and above. This regulation aims to promote water conservation and enhance groundwater levels.
In this regard, the water board has initiated sending notices to property owners who haven’t constructed water harvesting structures. The notices being sent to property owners state that residents were requesting tankers despite having existing water connections. Additionally, it has been noted that these consumers either lack rainwater harvesting facilities on their premises or have non-functional systems. The notice advices consumers to install rainwater harvesting structures with injection wells/shafts, and if such systems already exist, they must be renovated and maintained in proper working condition.
“We are issuing notices for the first time, targeting properties without water harvesting pits. We have already assessed 39,000 properties out of the identified 42,000 buildings, with the complete survey expected to conclude within a fortnight. The water board maintains a firm position regarding water harvesting facilities and requires all residences to install these systems, failing which they will incur double charges for water tanker services,” J Sathyanarayana, consultant, Rainwater Harvesting Structures, HMWS&SB.
In the survey which commenced in June, authorities found rainwater harvesting systems were well-maintained in gated communities and large apartment complexes. In contrast, these facilities in other residential buildings were found to be in poor condition and needed maintenance.
