Hyderabad Water Board explores alternative sources to meet summer drinking water demand amid El Niño concerns

As part of its advance planning, Water Board Managing Director Ashok Reddy, along with a team of senior officials, inspected Gandipet and surrounding areas on Wednesday to assess the feasibility of drawing additional drinking water from the twin reservoirs of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.

The inspection focused on identifying alternative water sources and supply routes to meet the anticipated increase in demand, particularly during February and March. Officials examined how much additional water could be drawn from the twin reservoirs, the possible routes for transporting it and the options for connecting these sources to the city's existing pipeline network.

The MD also reviewed the infrastructure requirements for transporting additional water, alternative pipeline routes and possibilities for expanding the existing supply network. The technical feasibility, availability of water and capacity of the transmission system will be assessed before the Water Board finalises its next course of action.

With water storage levels in the Singur-Manjeera reservoirs declining, the Water Board is exploring ways to reduce dependence on these sources by making better use of other available reservoirs. Ashok Reddy directed officials to examine every feasible option to strengthen the city's drinking water supply and ensure that potential shortages during the summer are addressed in advance.

The Water Board said it was preparing contingency plans to prevent disruptions in drinking water supply and would take necessary measures based on the assessment of available water resources and infrastructure.

Water Board Projects Director Mahesh Kumar, CEO Rambabu and officials from the Projects and Transmission wings participated in the field inspection.