The Telangana government has ordered a set of water and electricity conservation measures in Hyderabad after reduced rainfall and falling groundwater levels intensified concerns about shortages in the coming months. Households have been advised to cut drinking water consumption by 20 per cent, while treated sewage water will be prioritised for industrial use, construction, landscaping and other non-drinking purposes.
The measures were reviewed by Jayesh Ranjan, special chief secretary for the metropolitan area and urban development within HMDA limits, at a meeting attended by senior officials. Officers will monitor drinking water conservation, groundwater protection and electricity management across all 16 mandals of Hyderabad district.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, or HYDRAA, will assist enforcement against illegal extraction of water and misuse of resources. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board will identify and remove motors illegally installed on drinking water pipelines, with fines and penalties to be imposed where necessary.
HMWS&SB managing director K. Ashok Reddy said demand for water tankers had doubled amid reduced rainfall and declining groundwater levels. Tanker bookings have risen to 7,000 this year from about 3,500 during the corresponding period last year, according to the water board.
The board is examining additional supplies through the Godavari drinking water scheme and is also considering drawing more water from the Krishna basin. It is assessing the creation of additional filter beds at Himayatsagar and Osmansagar. Of the board’s 13 treated-water filling stations, only three or four are currently operational. The remaining stations are scheduled to be made operational by November 1, while 20 more filling stations are planned over the following 15 days.
The government will promote treated sewage water for industries, data centres, gardening, landscaping and maintenance of central medians. Filling stations will be established at sewage treatment plants to facilitate distribution. Officials have also decided that 90 per cent of water used for construction activities should be sourced from treated water available nearby.
The use of treated water for landscaping will be mandatory, including at government institutions. GHMC commissioner R.V. Karnan said drinking water would not be used for gardening, landscaping or maintaining central medians.
Groundwater department deputy director M. Harish Babu said only three mandals in Hyderabad district had received normal rainfall so far. The average groundwater level had fallen to 10 metres below ground level, compared with 3.55 metres during the corresponding period last year. Hyderabad district collector Priyanka directed officials not to grant permission for new borewells to prevent further groundwater misuse.
Residents have also been advised to set air-conditioners at 25°C and reduce electricity consumption between 5 pm and 10 pm. Southern discom chairman and managing director Jitesh V. Patil said the state’s power consumption had reached 20,018 MW and was expected to rise in March and April. Rooftop solar installations are being encouraged, and consumers have been asked to plan electricity use around daytime solar availability.
India Meteorological Department scientist A. Sravani said day and night temperatures were increasing and the onset of winter had been delayed. Rainfall during the withdrawal phase of the northeast monsoon is expected to be below normal, although cyclone-related weather systems could bring some rain in November.
HMWS&SB is preparing a mobile application called ‘Dial a Green Tanker’ for online booking of treated-water tankers. The board said 22,000 groundwater recharge structures had been taken up this year and was preparing a five-year plan to provide groundwater recharge facilities to every household. Officials will review implementation of the conservation measures at the next meeting in 15 days.
