Water supply for twin capitals a Herculean task.

For a capital which is going to be shared by two States in a couple of months from now, supplying adequate potable water to the citizens is a huge challenge.

Over the years there has been perpetual mismatch between demand and supply despite the best efforts of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).

Even as there are worries about the civic infra gaps in the twin cities, a refreshing assurance is coming from the Water Board to meet the ever growing demand for potable water.

It claims that if the plans really fructify, there will be an end to the thirst of the capital by December this year.

HMWSSB officials, declining to be identified, informed that the Krishna phase three and Godavari projects are expected to be completed by the year-end. Once these two projects are completed, the board is expected to receive another 90 million gallons per day (MGD) and 172 MGD, which will help meet the current deficit of 150 MGD.

As of now, the city receives 340 MGD of water everyday, which are drawn from the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar (40 MGD) lakes, Krishna phase 1 and 2 (180 MGD), and Manjeera phase 1 to 4 projects (120 MGD). However, the actual demand is 490 MGD.

The senior officials informed that though the completion of the projects will bring in surplus water, the HMWSSB also has to meet supply demands outside Hyderabad, totalling about 106 MGD.

The Krishna phase three and Godavari projects were taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,670 crore and Rs. 3,750 crore, respectively.


THE HINDU