Potable water alternatives: Treated water from Hyderabad gated communities’ STPs for construction works, landscaping

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Updated - October 17, 2026 04:01 pm IST - HYDERABAD

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) plans to use treated water for works which do not need potable water. The image is used for representative purposes only. | Photo Credit: Mohd Arif

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) plans to rope in gated communities, apartment complexes and other private spaces in the city which have Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), in its plan to provide treated water for works which do not need potable water.

Construction sites, industrial units, landscaping, greenery on medians and others were initially identified as places where the treated water can be used. The Board announced that it would launch ‘Dial-a-Green Tanker’ service by November 1. A website would be made available to check nearby sources of treated water, distance to it, book the service, track the vehicle carrying the water and other options.

HMWSSB aims to provide 100 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water under the first phase. Currently, 51 private STPs have registered, which can provide 1.5 MLD, said HMWSSB’s Managing Director Ashok Reddy.

This is one of the preparatory measures planned to avoid water shortage in the next summer, decrease stress on the Singur and Manjeera reservoirs and in view of further shortfall in rain due to El Nino weather phenomena. The Managing Director said that the next eight months till the onset of monsoon is crucial.

On Friday (October 17, 2026), he held a meeting with CREDAI, NAREDCO, TBF and other associations of builders on measures to decrease stress on drinking water sources and groundwater levels, using water from STPs at construction sites, transporting treated water to the sites and other aspects.

The cost for opting water tankers as a mode of transport came up for discussion. The option of connecting the STPs to the nearby utilisation sites as an alternative was mooted. Citing the example of Botanical Garden in Gachibowli, which receives treated water through a pipeline, the Managing Director instructed officials to explore the option of connecting parks, golf courses, construction sites and other places.

Published - October 17, 2026 03:50 pm IST

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