Hyderabad: The HMWS&SB has attributed the surge in water tanker bookings to the rapidly depleting groundwater level.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, K. Ashok Reddy, MD of HMWS&SB, said, “Bore wells in many areas have dried up nearly a month earlier than last year, leaving residents more reliant on water tankers. The situation has been worsened by the lack of rainfall in November and December 2024, which typically helps recharge groundwater levels.”
“Rainwater fails to seep into the ground and instead flows into drains, wasting a critical resource,” Ashok Reddy added.
Despite repeated efforts to create awareness about rainwater harvesting, many residents have been reluctant to implement these structures. The water board has even issued notices to encourage compliance.
To address the issue, officials are planning to increase the tanker charges for households that do not have rainwater harvesting systems in place.
Last December, the water board warned that it would collect double fees for water tankers booked by buildings that don’t have rainwater harvesting pits. It served notices to 17,000 buildings.
“This step aims to encourage people to invest in rainwater harvesting and reduce dependence on tankers,” said Ashok Reddy. With peak summer around the corner, the water board is preparing to handle the growing demand. However, they stress the importance of water conservation.
“Rainwater harvesting is not just a choice but a necessity, especially during these challenging times, we need collective efforts from the people to tackle this crisis effectively, ” he added.
Explaining the crisis, V.L. Praveen Kunmar, revenue director of HMWS&SB, said, “Manikonda and Kondapur have seen a rise in apartments, which depend on both groundwater and the supply from the water board. With groundwater levels depleting, their dependence on our supplies has increased. Additionally, these areas have more commercial establishments compared to the outskirts, which is also driving the higher demand.”
