Hyderabad: Anticipating a looming water crisis, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is planning to impose stricter penalties for using potable water for non-drinking activities such as washing vehicles, gardening, and cleaning residential premises.
Taking cues from Bengaluru, the board is planning to introduce fines starting at Rs 5,000, significantly higher than the current Rs 1,000 penalty under Section 25 of the HMWSSB Act, 1989.
Recently, HMWSSB fined an individual Rs 1,000 for using drinking water to wash a bike. However, officials acknowledge that the existing penalties are inadequate to curb misuse.
A few weeks ago, Bengaluru implemented similar restrictions under Sections 33 and 34 of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1964, prohibiting the use of potable water for cleaning vehicles, construction, fountains, and decorative purposes. Hyderabad now aims to follow suit by amending its regulations.
“With groundwater levels already depleting and tanker demand rising even before summer, many residents continue to misuse drinking water for household tasks. To address this behaviour, implementing Bengaluru approach would be beneficial. We shall amend the act to enforce stricter penalties to enforce responsible usage, as current fines have proven ineffective in deterring water misuse ,” said a senior HMWSSB official.
Official stated that under the current law, water supplied for domestic purposes does not extend to commercial or industrial use, including irrigation, building construction, or washing vehicles.
With water scarcity looming in the coming months, they advised residents against wasting drinking water and instead urged them to use it judiciously. Officials have also warned that legal action will be taken against those who misuse protected drinking water.
Additionally, as per Section 38 of the Act, HMWSSB has the authority to inspect premises and detect water wastage, reinforcing its commitment to conservation amid the growing crisis.
