Hyderabad: Even if Hyderabad faces severe water shortages, thousands of liters of drinking water are wasted every day due to leaks in tankers and poor maintenance. The faulty top cover and loose valves result in huge spills, and the tanker means water supply, not loss on the road.
Residents throughout the city have observed overflow of water tanks, openings or damaged top covers across the street. “We often see tankers pouring into water, even if their slogan says ‘Water is precious and every drop is important.’ It’s frustrating, especially when we try to get enough water,” Gachibowli residents said.
In addition to the top cover, the release valves of many tankers also have faults, resulting in continuous leakage. “The van also leaked from the valve when it arrived at the destination from the fuel tank,” said another resident Anish Reddy.
With rising temperatures and increasing dependence on tanker water, waste has become a major problem. “Many tankers do not have proper outsourcing of fitness checks, resulting in accidents and unnecessary water loss,” said social activist Sai Teja.
Officials from the Metropolitan Hyderabad Water and Sewer Commission (HMWS&SB) have acknowledged the issue and secured corrective measures. “The tanker must maintain good maintenance and carry our alert team,” said Mayank Mittal, executive director of HMWS&SB who spoke with Deccan Chronicle.
The board of directors pointed out that strict actions will be taken when violations are found. Whenever unclean tankers or spill cases are found, they take the necessary actions. If the tanker lacks an official logo or delivers water to an unauthorized location, penalties are imposed on the driver. “The tanker is tracked in real time, especially in areas with high demand, such as Gachibowli and Quthbullapur.
Officials added that the fault valve identified at the gas station has been replaced and stricter measures will be taken to curb further water waste.
