Latest news with #HMWSSB
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
HMWSSB launches ‘Dial-a-Septic-Tank' service for safe waste disposal around ORR
HYDERABAD: The HMWSSB has launched the 'Dial-a-Septic-Tank' programme to manage and clean septic tank waste in areas under the Outer Ring Road (ORR). In collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), the Water Board selected 50 septic tank vehicle operators for the safe transportation and disposal of waste at existing STPs and FSTPs. The operators were trained in scientific waste management practices and equipped with safety gear and uniforms. The initiative covers 18 villages, seven municipal corporations and 18 municipalities around the ORR. It aims to ensure safe disposal of human waste without harming public health or the environment. All vehicles are GPS-enabled for real-time monitoring. Residents can call 155313 or 14420 to book septic tank cleaning services. Presentation on GHMC's best practices for JDA delegation A delegation from the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), led by commissioner Anandhi, visited the GHMC head office on Thursday as part of a tour. According to officials, the visit is aimed at understanding GHMC's best practices. GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan gave a detailed presentation to the visiting team, outlining key reforms such as the online TDR processing system, salient features of the 2017 TDR policy, and the single-window Build Now system for building and layout approvals. He said the TDR policy, in particular, has facilitated easier land acquisition for public projects.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
HMWSSB to account for every drop with smart valve meter tech
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is set to automate around 1,000 valves on a pilot basis using the Smart Valve Meter Technology. Officials believe it's a step in the bid to modernise the city's water supply system and account for every drop supplied. The city's water network has nearly 15,000 small and large valves, but only about 35% are regularly operated by linemen. Manual operation, especially on main roads, poses safety risks due to traffic. There have been fatal incidents in the past. Smart valves, integrated with sensors and communication systems, allow remote monitoring and control of water flow. This eliminates the need for manual operation, reduces dependency on linemen, improves efficiency and cuts operational costs, the officials mentioned. Pilot in Sanathnagar successful A pilot project in Sanathnagar Division has proven successful, and the Board plans to expand the initiative. A centralised control room will be set up at the HMWSSB head office to monitor, regulate and operate valves. The system will also be linked to smart meters, water quality monitors and billing data. HMWSSB Managing Director K Ashok Reddy has directed officials to study the feasibility of scaling up automation. He also proposed installing smart meters at reservoir outlets and in bulk water supply zones to ensure precise measurement and accountability. With the new system, linemen can operate valves remotely via a mobile app, without visiting sites physically. The smart valves are solar-powered with battery backup, ensuring uninterrupted function. Traditionally, managing the 15,000 valves required nearly 2,000 linemen, with water often released at midnight. Officials believe this upgrade will improve water distribution and benefit residents.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
The pits? Rainwater rule is a runoff in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: As Hyderabad grapples with water shortages and drying borewells, rainwater harvesting remains largely ignored, despite clear mandates from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Between 2020 and 2025, GHMC issued 69,575 building permits. Of these, 23,239 required rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS), yet only 33% complied. In 2024–25 alone, just 4,578 out of 11,509 approved buildings had soak pits. Only 2,036 received occupancy certificates, even though RWHS completion is mandatory. Water sustainability expert Kalpana Ramesh, founder of The Rainwater Project, attributed this to apathy and poor enforcement. 'Even large gated communities let lakhs of litres flow into drains. A 1,000 sq. ft terrace can harvest one lakh litres a year,' she told TNIE, adding that instead of harvesting, crores are spent on deep borewells tapping contaminated, non-renewable groundwater. She warned that rampant concrete construction blocks natural percolation, worsening the crisis. Conservationists are now demanding a zero-discharge policy, with penalties for diverting rainwater into stormwater drains (SWDs). 'If we're fined for sewage violations, why not for wasting clean rainwater?' Kalpana asked, noting that the lost water contributes to urban flooding. Follow-up inspections are lacking, too. Srinivasa Rao, general secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, said soak pits are often dismantled or repurposed as parking or landscaped areas. He suggested levying a 25% property tax penalty if RWHS is missing during random inspections. 'Guidelines alone don't help; we need enforcement,' he told TNIE. The urgency is growing. Many borewells in the city and outskirts went dry this summer, forcing residents to rely on costly water tankers. GHMC has issued advisories urging homeowners without soak pits to construct them immediately. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has deployed geologists to help design recharge systems as the monsoon arrives. Kalpana emphasised that Hyderabad receives enough rain. 'The problem is runoff, not shortage. If you're not harvesting rainwater or recycling greywater, you're part of the problem,' she said. Although the Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA) mandates RWHS for properties over 200 sq. metres, weak enforcement renders it toothless. Notices to be issued to 16K households that failed to construct RWH pits: HMWSSB Hyderabad: HMWSSB has decided to issue notices to 16,000 households for failing to construct Rainwater Harvesting Structures (RWHS). So far, with the help of NGOs, 12,000 water harvesting pits have already been constructed and maintained. HMWSSB managing director K Ashok Reddy explained that the recent deficiency in rainfall has caused groundwater levels to decline in many areas, resulting in a steady increase in water tanker requests. To address this, RWHS are now mandatory for all households with plots larger than 300 square yards and recommended for those above 200 square yards. Following the directives of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, HMWSSB has initiated a three-month awareness campaign. Ashok Reddy further informed that water tankers are being delivered within 24 hours of booking. In summer, 11,000 tankers were delivered daily; at present, the demand stands at 8,500 tankers per day.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Bookings for water tanker surge by 36 per cent amid scanty rains in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: With rainfall remaining scarce recently, Hyderabad is witnessing a sharp 36% spike in water tanker bookings compared to the same period last year. HMWSSB managing director K Ashok Reddy has directed officials to stay prepared for further increases in bookings, citing depleted groundwater levels across several parts of the city. Between July 1 and 14 last year, 63,724 tankers were booked, while this year, the number has jumped to 86,520. Out of the nearly 14 lakh connections under the Water Board's jurisdiction, around 42,000 households have relied on tankers for their water needs. However, just 500 users accounted for 31,000 tanker bookings during the 75-day summer stretch, while 22,000 users booked 90% of the total 2.84 lakh tankers. A survey conducted by HMWSSB revealed that many of these households lacked Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS). In response, notices were issued and awareness campaigns launched, urging residents to construct RWHS pits within 90 days. So far, 16,000 property owners have received notices. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy stated that households larger than 300 square yards within the ORR must install RWHS pits. They warned of possible action, including increased tanker rates, for non-compliance. HMWSSB has been asked to identify and prepare a list of households without RWHS pits within the next month.
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
HMWSSB plans future-proof projects for Telangana core urban region
HYDERABAD: With Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordering a long-term urban policy for the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR) within the Outer Ring Road (ORR), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is preparing a master plan for water and sewerage projects for the TCUR, based on population estimates up to 2047. The Water Board plans to expand its jurisdiction from 1,400 to 2,050 square kilometres and submit the report to the state government within three months, HMWSSB Managing Director K Ashok Reddy, who completed one year in office, told TNIE. The Godavari Drinking Water Supply Project (GDWSP) Phase II and III, costing Rs 7,360 crore, will provide 20 tmcft of water from Mallannasagar — 15 tmcft for Hyderabad's drinking needs and 5 tmcft for filling Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs as part of the Musi rejuvenation project. Tenders for the project have been finalised.
