Water Board rolls up sleeves to meet soaring summer demand

An action plan being drawn up as Hyderabad needs an additional 2022 million gallons per day of water from Godavari, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar sources; about 41 tmcft of water available in reservoirs, according to officials

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board on Saturday said it is taking all measures to combat drinking water needs–from drawing additional quantum of water, writing to the Irrigation department, reconditioning of water sources and preparing emergency pumping arrangements.

The challenge to meet the drinking water needs this season, officials said, arises because of insufficient inflows into the Krishna basin, the major source providing 275.98 million gallons per day (mgd) or about 49% of the total 559.81mgd to the HMWSSB service limits. About 163 mgd is being drawn from the Godavari scheme.

However, officials point that there is a combined 41.61 tmcft water available in these reservoirs, if compared with the least level drawn during 2016 and 2017. While the present water level in Srisailam reservoir is at 810.90 feet as against 775 in May 2016, the Nagarjunasagar reservoir now is at 513.60 feet as against least drawn till 500 feet in September 2017. The Sri Pada Yellampally reservoir is just 2.81 tmcft away from the recorded least level.

The authority has addressed the imminent crisis to the Irrigation & Command Area Development for prioritising to maintain best possible capacities to address the drinking water needs. The same was conveyed to the Krishna River

Board Management, and the Irrigation departments of Maharashtra and Karnataka for releasing 30 tmcft water from Koyna dam to the downstream of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar.

As per the summer action plan, HMWSSB esti

mates an additional 2022 mgd is needed from Godavari, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar sources, and overall, 570575 mgd is needed in March, April and May.

Sources such as hand pumps, power borewells

and electric installations are being reconditioned, static tanks and additional tanker filling points are being made. The water supply authority has also finalised tenders and awarded works for emergency pumping arrangements.