HYDERBAD: In a significant shift from the existing system where residents purchase water, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has decided to procure treated wastewater from gated communities, offeringr Rs 50-Rs 100 per tanker.Currently, nearly 200 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water from private sewage treatment plants (STPs) in these communities is being discharged into nearby water bodies.
While a few residential complexes reuse this water for flushing, gardening and other internal needs, a majority of it ends up flowing into lakes.To address this, HMWSSB plans to collect and repurpose the treated water for nonpotable uses such as construction, landscaping, golf courses and industrial applications among others.‘Dial Your Tanker’ serviceAs part of the initiative, the water board will deploy red-coloured water tankers and introduce a ‘Dial Your Tanker’ service, similar to drinking water. Residents can request an empty tanker, which will be sent to collect treated grey water directly from their premises.“This initiative, part of our treated water bank, aims to tap recycled water efficiently. After collection, we will thoroughly check quality levels before using it for nondrinking purposes. The project will initially be rolled out on a pilot basis with three tankers, with more to be added depending on demand,” said HMWSSB managing director K Ashok Reddy.Colour-coded systemAccording to officials, red tankers will be designated for treated water, while blue tankers will continue supplying drinking water.The move comes amid concerns over misuse of potable water for activities such as cleaning premises and washing vehicles.Despite undergoing advanced secondary and tertiary treatment, less than 2% of treated wastewater in the city is currently being utilised. To improve this, HMWSSB is planning to establish a largescale grey water bank with a capacity of around 2,000 MLD for non-potable uses, including industrial operations in chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.The project is still in the planning stage, with a Delhibased agency preparing the detailed project report (DPR), according to officials.
