Price slash fails to boost demand for treated water in Hyderabad

Despite generating over 2,031 MLD of treated water daily from 55 sewage treatment plants, the Hyderabad water board has found little demand for its non-potable water. Only 0.1 percent is currently sold to institutions like Lok Bhavan, GHMC, HMDA and select corporates.

Hyderabad: Greywater that is generated from the sewerage treatment plants (STPs) of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) fails to attract users.

The water board through its 55 STPs in the city generates around 2,031 million litres of treated water per day (MLD) and offers to sell it for a varied usage from gardening, construction activity to washroom cleaning. However, this non-potable water has failed to receive any demand from the stakeholders.

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HMWSSB Director Transmission D Sudarshan said, “The Ministry of Urban Development has made it mandatory that 28 percent of the treated water be used for multipurpose activities like gardening, construction activity and washroom cleaning. But a poor response is received from the stakeholders, despite the water board taking all measures.”

Out of 2,031.5 MLD of treated water, the water board is now selling only 0.1 percent with consumers including Lok Bhavan, GHMC, HMDA, Shilparamam, Hyderabad Golf Course, Wipro, Infosys, and other MNCs.

Initially, the water board used to sell 5,000 litres of treated water for Rs 120 but cut down the pricing to Rs 60 due to lower-than-expected demand, officials said.

Meanwhile, a proposal to lay a separate pipeline to supply treated water from the STPs to the Bharat Future City is under active consideration. According to the proposal, HMWSSB plans to supply treated water from Nagole STP to Bharat Future City for which a pipeline of about 45 km is to be laid connecting Nagole STP and Future City.

“Once the MA&UD gives its nod for the proposal, we will go for preparation of a detailed project report (DPR),” a senior HMWSSB official said.