Hyderabad: ‘Motor-free tap water’ campaign from Apr 15, Rs, 5,000 fine on illegal motor pumps
Hyderabad: Residents facing water scarcity due to illegal suction pumps attached to drinking water pipelines can heave a sigh of relief as the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has decided to initiate action against the violators.
The water board officials will levy a fine of Rs. 5,000 on the customers who are found drawing drinking water illegally during supply time and seize their motors.
A high-level review meeting chaired by the HMWS&SB managing director Ashok Reddy was conducted at HMWSSB headquarters in Khairatabad on Wednesday. The meeting saw deliberations on several issues including illegal suction pumps and release of a dedicated mobile app to track water supply violations.
The water board has decided to launch motor-free tap water’ in four phases starting April 15, 2025, in the city. During the campaign, armed with a special app, linemen to managers and even the Managing Director, will pay surprise visits to the colonies at the time of scheduled water supply to catch the violators.
The surprise campaigns are necessitated by the frequent complaints to the Board pointing out the ‘low-pressure supply’, HMWS&SB Managing Director K Ashok Reddy said while adding that there has been no difference in supply time or valve pressure by lineman.
“A third–party survey found that 60% of the connections were using an illegal motor pump and receiving high-pressure water supply and of the remaining 40% of the connections – 20% each are receiving normal supply and low-pressure supply. It was also found that consumers were fitting automatic motors that start as soon as the supply starts,” according to an official note.
Using the app, officials can record violations such as misuse of drinking water or unauthorized motor use, upload geotagged photos, and generate penalties automatically. The fine will be credited to the Customer’s Account Number (CAN) and in case of repeated violations, their CAN is blacklisted.
The officials have requested the people to conserve water and ensure fair supply and use by all consumers. The Board has also said that people can report the violations on this customer care number 155313.
