Hyderabad: While 80% of the city continues to receive regular piped water supply without depending on tankers, about 20% of areas are witnessing high demand. Localities such as SR Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Gachibowli, and Kukatpally are heavily dependent on tankers due to falling groundwater levels, said HMWSSB MD K Ashok Reddy.Currently, around 11,000 tankers are being booked daily, with 80%-90% of the demand concentrated in these pockets. Of the 14 lakh water connections in the city, only about 48,000 consumers are using tanker services, officials said. Reviewing summer operations and tanker management with officials, the MD said that tanker demand rose sharply over time. Highlighting the nature of the coming weeks, the MD said the next 45 days are critical and urged citizens to save at least 20% of water. “Small changes in daily habits, such as fixing leaks, reducing shower use and avoiding unnecessary consumption, can make a big difference,” he said. The MD added that the daily water supply remains stable at 560-570 MLD, and most issues stem from groundwater depletion rather than supply shortages. To address the demand, the board is strengthening tanker operations, monitoring transmission and expanding infrastructure.Officials have also launched a special drive to curb the misuse of drinking water. Strict action will be taken against practices such as using motors to draw water, washing vehicles with potable water and wastage. To encourage public participation, the board is promoting the ‘Pani app’, through which citizens can report water misuse by uploading photos.
