Hyderabad: Residents in many parts of the city are complaining that water is being supplied at very low pressure by the Metro Water Board even though there is enough water in the reservoirs. But the metro water board, while admitting that the demand for tankers has increased by 25 per cent, blames residents for using powerful motors that draw off all water and at the same time, has not cracked down on households using such motors. Last week, the board booked cases against four residents but the number involved in illegal siphoning off of water reportedly runs into lakhs.
Pressure has dipped drastically in Malkajgiri, Begum Bazar, Alkapuri Colony, Himathnagar, ECIL, Bollaram, Vaishali Nagar, Darul Shifa, and Thukaram Gate.
Another reason for the low pressure is the supply of water daily to slum dwellers at the cost of other residents. The board has made it clear that the daily supply of drinking water is meant for 167 slums but not for other areas of the city.
On February 1, the HMWSSB had announced the daily water scheme, which was however put off as the election code of conduct had come into force. But slums in the city are receiving daily water on a trial basis.
K. Vinodh from East Anand Bagh, A.N. Rao Nagar Road No.2, says his colony is receiving very low pressure water. “We suspect water motors are being fixed to direct water connections, but no probe has taken off. I have informed the HMWSSB division general manager to keep an eye. Also, the water is supplied for not more than 45 minutes. Homes paying bills are getting less water.”
Operations director, G. Rameshwar Rao says the water board is supplying 400 million gallons per day to Greater Hyderabad.
“Use of powerful motors is rampant. Majority of the complaints received is about low pressure. One motor sucks water meant for 20 households and a majority of the motors seized were of 1 HP and higher range. After Ugadi, we will crack down on such motors.”
SCB supply not enough
The Water Board, after 50 days of delaying supply to Secunderabad Cantonment board jurisdiction, especially to the reservoirs of Marredpally, Balamrai and Mahendra Hills, have now released extra water. But the amount is not the promised 2 million gallons per day.
DC had reported on how SCB limits were deprived of water due to the daily water scheme since February 1. And after the report, the board had deployed a team to inspect supply and demand at SCB reservoirs.
SCB Water wing superintendent Raj Kumar said: “A team visited the reservoirs after that report was published in the Deccan Chronicle. So far, 2 MGD of water has been released and supply at Balamrai reservoir has considerably increased, due to which the board is able to provide water to many localities. But even the promised 2 MGD is really not sufficient”.
Over 6.8 million gallons of water daily was the agreed quantity of water supply to the Cantonment board. But since the daily water scheme was launched, supply to SCB has been reduced to 4.2 MGD.
