Water Board cautions consumers against cyber fraudsters

Metro India News | Hyderabad : In the wake of media reports about cyber fraudsters contacting consumers under the pretext of water bill updates, pending bills and disconnection notices, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board(HMWSSB) has issued a set of precautions urging consumers to remain vigilant. The Water Board advised consumers not to respond to phone calls, SMS messages or WhatsApp messages from unidentified persons claiming to represent the water board or offering to update water bill details. 

Consumers have been warned against clicking on suspicious links or downloading APK files sent through such messages. The HMWSSB also cautioned consumers not to install any app at the request of unknown persons or allow screen sharing or remote access to their mobile phones. Consumers should never share confidential information such as One-Time Passwords (OTPs), UPI PINs, debit or credit card numbers, CVVs or passwords with anyone, the HMWSSB said. 

For water bill payments and checking bill details, consumers have been advised to use only the official channels provided by the HMWSSB. If consumers notice any suspicious or unauthorized transaction, they should immediately contact their bank and take necessary security measures to protect their account or card. They should subsequently report the incident to cybercrime authorities and preserve evidence such as SMS messages, phone numbers, links and transaction details for investigation. The HMWSSB said that relevant investigative agencies would look into such incidents and that further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.  The HMWSSB appealed to consumers not to assume that every message received in the name of a water bill is genuine. Consumers should verify the authenticity of such messages through official channels before responding or taking any action.

Water Board's Advisory to Consumers

■ Do not click on suspicious links.

■ Do not install APK files received from unknown sources.

■ Never share OTPs, UPI PINs or CVVs with anyone.

■ Do not allow unknown persons to access or remotely control your mobile phone.

■ Verify suspicious water bill SMS or WhatsApp messages through official Water Board channels before taking any action.

HMWSSB steps up water checks

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has clarified that water samples tested in a recently circulated video or survey were from groundwater sources, not treated drinking water supplied through its tap-water network. It said groundwater quality varies by location due to geological and environmental conditions, with TDS, hardness, fluoride and nitrate levels differing in some areas.

Residents using borewells or other groundwater for drinking have been advised to test its quality before consumption. The Board said it treats around 560 million gallons per day (MGD) from various sources and supplies it according to prescribed drinking-water standards. Water quality is monitored from treatment plants and reservoirs to distribution networks and consumer taps, with around 5,500 samples tested daily by its teams and third-party agencies.

Its NABL-accredited laboratories test physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters, including pH, TDS, fluoride, nitrate, residual chlorine, total coliform and E. coli, as per IS 10500:2012. About 330 chlorination plants operate across facilities. The Board also uses the Naanyatha mobile app for real-time monitoring. Ten special teams are deployed to address localised contamination from pipeline leaks or damage.