Tanker Dependence Rises to 12,500 Apartments in 2026; Water Board MD Calls for Rainwater Harvesting in Every Apartment

With dependence on water tankers rising sharply across Hyderabad despite the onset of the monsoon, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has urged apartment communities to make rainwater harvesting a core part of residential infrastructure. The Water Board said conserving every drop of rain is essential to recharge groundwater, reduce tanker dependence and strengthen the city's long-term water security.

HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy made the appeal while inaugurating three renovated soak pits and an injection bore well recharge system, created by converting a defunct borewell, at Beverly Spring Apartments in Beverly Hills, Guttala Begumpet.

Addressing residents, he said rainwater harvesting systems should not be installed merely to obtain building approvals or occupancy certificates. Every apartment should scientifically channel rooftop rainwater into the ground through rooftop harvesting systems, soak pits and recharge pits, ensuring that every drop of rain is conserved within the premises.

Ashok Reddy said the number of apartment complexes relying on Water Board tankers has increased from about 4,000 last summer to nearly 12,500 this year. While Ayyappa Society, Kukatpally, S.R. Nagar and Jubilee Hills have traditionally recorded high tanker demand, Uppal, LB Nagar, NTR Nagar and Malkajgiri have also seen a sharp rise in bookings during June and July due to delayed rains, falling groundwater levels and drying borewells.

He said the Water Board analyses daily tanker booking data to identify high-demand areas and deploy filling stations, tankers and personnel efficiently.

Highlighting Hyderabad's rapid urbanisation, the MD said plots that once housed a single family now accommodate multi-storey apartments, significantly increasing water demand. To meet future requirements, the Water Board is upgrading pipelines, reservoirs, pumping systems and distribution networks in phases. He noted that Hyderabad's drinking water is pumped from the Krishna and Godavari rivers, requiring substantial infrastructure and continuous monitoring.

Ashok Reddy also said tanker supply cannot be a permanent solution and urged apartment associations to conduct water audits, prevent leakages and convert defunct borewells into recharge pits. Appreciating the rainwater harvesting initiative at Beverly Hills Apartments, he expressed hope that the colony would become tanker-free by next year and serve as a model for other residential communities.