A survey revealed that most of these households lacked rainwater harvesting pits, which could have mitigated the crisis. The Water Board has issued notices instructing them to install the pits
Hyderabad: Hyderabad observed World Water Day with a series of events highlighting the importance of water conservation. The HMWS&SB and Rashtrapati Nilayam organised awareness programmes on responsible water use and rainwater harvesting. HMWS&SB managing director Ashok Reddy emphasised the critical need to curb water wastage. “Water is as essential as oxygen and must not be wasted,” he said.
He pointed out that the rising demand for drinking water stemmed largely from overconsumption. Among the city’s 13 lakh water connections, only 42,000 book tankers. However, 500 consumers booked 31,000 tankers in 75 days.
Additionally, 22,000 households accounted for 90 per cent of total tanker bookings, amounting to 2.84 lakh tankers. A survey revealed that most of these households lacked rainwater harvesting pits, which could have mitigated the crisis. The Water Board has issued notices instructing them to install the pits.
Rashtrapati Nilayam hosted a session on sustainable water use, featuring Dr G.K. Viswanadh from JNTU Hyderabad and Kalpana Ramesh, founder of SAHE. Dr Viswanadh highlighted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Kalpana Ramesh spoke about traditional irrigation methods employed at Rashtrapati Nilayam, including the restoration of three historic wells that now function without electric motors.
She warned that neglecting rainwater harvesting contributes to urban flooding and cited Singapore’s success in tackling its water crisis as a model.
The event featured a debate on “Water for Peace,” with 100 students participating, and a guided tour of Rashtrapati Nilayam’s water conservation systems. Rashtrapati Nilayam manager K. Rajani Priya noted that over 1,000 students took part in the event and that the heritage site has welcomed over 4.5 lakh visitors since opening to the public in 2023.
