Hyderabad: A sociological study by the Centre for Sustainable Development at IIT Hyderabad has highlighted growing concerns among Hyderabad residents over water quality, revealing widespread scepticism about state-supplied water, rising dependence on purification systems, and increasing anxiety over environmental degradation.The study, ‘Filtering for Purity: Middle Class Attitudes to Water in Urban India’, examined how residents across socio-economic groups, including those living in independent houses and gated communities, manage their daily water needs. It sought to understand how urban households procure, evaluate and consume water, and how these practices shape their perceptions of urban life.The research points to a significant shift in the way city residents view water, suggesting that access to safe and reliable water has become a central determinant of quality of life rather than merely a civic utility issue.Researchers Haripriya Narasimhan and Kanaka Himabindu Pottumuthu found that everyday water management in Hyderabad is heavily influenced by sensory perceptions, with residents assessing water based on its taste, smell, colour and perceived purity.“This close scrutiny stems from persistent scepticism towards the quality of state-provided water, which has driven a tremendous dependence on various domestic purification systems,” the study said.The study found that concerns over water quality have become a recurring topic of discussion among middle class households and residential communities. Many residents also expressed nostalgia for a time when safe drinking water was perceived to be more readily available and dependable.“This psychological burden is coupled with a sharp awareness of local ecological decline. Residents noted the necessity of digging increasingly deeper borewells, the widespread encroachment of the city’s water bodies, a visible decrease in both the number and volume of local lakes, and a rapidly dropping water table across the metropolitan area,” said the researchers.According to the researchers, the findings underscore that building a globally recognised city requires more than technological advancement and physical infrastructure. Ensuring a high quality of life, they noted, depends significantly on reliable access to clean water.To address these concerns and protect the city’s ecological future, the study recommends placing greater emphasis on sustainable water use frameworks, particularly in municipal water supply and consumption systems.The researchers also found that residents are generally receptive to adopting environmentally sustainable water conservation practices, provided such solutions are affordable, accessible, and supported by the govt.They therefore urged the city administration to expand access to sustainable water-management measures while simultaneously undertaking stronger public awareness campaigns to encourage responsible water use.
