HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the brouhaha over the
Nizam-era water supply network in the city, almost 85% of consumers say cheers to the water supplied by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). They contend that the water is pure and safe to consume, while 15% consumers depend on
bottled water.
This finding came out in a survey taken up by city-based Institute of Health Systems (IHS) and validated by former IAS officer Prasanta Mahapatra. A total of 1,200 households in 14 operation and maintenance divisions in GHMC and peripheral areas were part of the survey. “Residents may be using bottled water, but give priority to water supplied by the HMWS&SB,” a senior official told
TOI.
The survey was taken up following complaints registered on HMWS&SB’s call centre metro customer care which, in turn, asked IHS to undertake the mega study. In fact, 47% of consumers gave ‘good rating’ to the water, while 0.76% of households ranked it ‘excellent.’ The survey also said nearly 70% of consumers nodded in affirmation that their problems had been resolved immediately, while 56% of the households said the problems were set right in a day or two.
Water Board commissions 40 reservoirs, 16 remaining
The water board has commissioned 40 reservoirs to supply Krishna river water to peripheral circles of GHMC. Once work is completed, the board is planning to commission the remaining 16 reservoirs in a couple of weeks. This could cheer the 60 lakh population of GHMC peripheral circles.
Residents of 11 peripheral circles used to get water once in five days. “With infrastructure improved at a cost of ₹1,900 crore and water supply augmented, the residents are getting water every alternate day now,” a senior HMWS&SB official told
TOI. “Initially, we thought that there will be no water issues till summer 2019, but with Nagarajunasagar reservoir brimming with waters, our confidence levels have gone up. We can say that till summer of 2020, we will be able to supply water to GHMC peripheral areas,” he added.
“Thanks to reservoirs awash with bountiful water, we can breathe easy,” RWA representative, Malkajgiri, said.
Representative image
