The top ten areas with the highest water tanker bookings include Durgam Cheruvu, S.R. Nagar, Kukatpally, Manikonda, Nizampet, Hafeezpet, Quthbullapur, Saheb Nagar, Alwal & Malkajgiri, and Asifnagar

* 22,000 households have booked 90% of the tankers

 * Hyderabad sees 56% surge in water tanker bookings in March 2025

EKALAVYA MALLEPALLI I hyderabad

That rainwater harvesting pits work is a forgone conclusion and to the latest statistics from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) consolidate this. Sample this: Out of the city's 1.3 million water connections, 42,000 households have booked water tankers, with 500 individuals accounting for 31,000 bookings within 75 days.

A total of 22,000 households have booked 90% of the tankers, amounting to 2,84,000 bookings. Surveys revealed that many of these households lack rainwater harvesting pits, which could have mitigated the current water shortage.

According to HMWSSB officials, the surge in tanker bookings is predominantly from areas experiencing groundwater depletion and overconsumption. Consequently, authorities have issued notices directing residents to construct rainwater harvesting systems to alleviate the crisis.

Hyderabad has witnessed a substantial increase in water tanker bookings, with March 2025 recording 2,83,311 bookings—a 56% rise compared to 1,81,656 bookings in March 2024. This surge is primarily attributed to depleting groundwater levels and heightened water consumption, especially in areas densely populated with hotels, restaurants, and commercial establishments that require continuous water usage. Additionally, the conversion of individual houses into apartments and the maintenance of gardens have further strained water resources.

The top ten areas with the highest water tanker bookings include Durgam Cheruvu, S.R. Nagar, Kukatpally, Manikonda, Nizampet, Hafeezpet, Quthbullapur, Saheb Nagar, Alwal & Malkajgiri, and Asifnagar. Notably, Manikonda, Durgam Cheruvu, and Kukatpally have seen significant increases in demand this year.

This trend is expected to continue, as earlier months have also shown significant increases in tanker bookings. January 2025 saw a 46% rise compared to the previous year, and February 2025 experienced a staggering 76% increase, with total bookings reaching 1,84,074.

To address the escalating demand, HMWSSB has implemented measures such as increasing staff at filling stations, ensuring uninterrupted pumping operations, reducing turnaround time, and increasing the number of tanker trips as needed. Currently, there are more than 966 registered tankers under HMWSSB, primarily with a 5,000-litre capacity. The board assures that there is no water shortage in Hyderabad, as major reservoirs like Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Manjira, Singur, Krishna, and Godavari have adequate water storage.

Despite these efforts, the situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices, including the widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting systems, to prevent further depletion of groundwater resources and ensure a stable water supply for Hyderabad's residents.  By making the installation of rainwater harvesting pits compulsory, the HMWSSB aims to encourage sustainable water management practices among residents.

In response to the growing water crisis, HMWSSB has also initiated awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of water conservation and efficient usage. Workshops and seminars are being conducted in various communities to demonstrate the benefits and installation processes of rainwater harvesting systems.