HMWSSB plans next-generation reservoirs for Hyderabad’s water future
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is planning to build multi-storey balancing reservoirs as part of its long-term strategy to meet the city’s growing drinking water demand while optimising land use.
During a review of the Godavari Phase-II & III projects and the Neopolis Integrated Drinking Water Supply Project, HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy directed officials to explore innovative reservoir designs, create emergency water storage capable of meeting one day’s demand and expedite ongoing water supply projects.
Focus on long-term water infrastructure
Ashok Reddy reviewed the progress of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) under the Godavari Phase-II & III project at Khanapur and instructed officials to complete the works within the stipulated timeline.
He said comprehensive planning was essential to meet Hyderabad’s future drinking water requirements as the city expands towards the Comprehensive Urban Region Expansion (CURE) limits.
The Managing Director also reviewed the proposed balancing reservoirs, pumping station and Water Treatment Plant planned under the Neopolis Integrated Drinking Water Supply Project. He directed officials to earmark adequate land for future water infrastructure in view of expected urban growth.
Officials presented plans to supply water through gravity from two balancing reservoirs, each with a capacity of 2.5 million litres, proposed for the Neopolis region.
Multi-storey reservoirs, emergency storage proposed
With land prices increasing in the area, Ashok Reddy asked officials to examine the technical feasibility of constructing multi-storey balancing reservoirs to enable future expansion without acquiring additional land.
He suggested incorporating structural provisions for future capacity during the initial construction phase and taking up expansion works through separate tenders after detailed technical studies.
The Managing Director also directed officials to conduct a comprehensive technical assessment on integrating trunk pipelines, gravity-based water supply, advanced pipeline provisions to minimise disruptions during road works and creating running storage capable of meeting at least one day’s drinking water requirement.
He emphasised the need for contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the city during emergencies or temporary supply disruptions.
Consultancy study, pipeline network optimisation
Ashok Reddy instructed officials to engage consultants to study the feasibility of future expansion, additional storage capacity and the cost-benefit aspects before submitting a detailed report.
He also asked engineering teams to examine better utilisation of the existing ring main network so that drinking water could be diverted quickly to areas facing shortages.
Earlier, accompanied by officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the Managing Director inspected the proposed shifting of an existing 1,200 mm diameter drinking water pipeline near Khanapur to facilitate an upcoming road project.
Project Director Sudarshan, Chief General Manager Rajashekhar, General Managers, senior HMDA officials, representatives of construction agencies and site engineers were present during the inspection.
