Muddy Godavari Water Upsets Hyderabad Residents

Hyderabad: The residents who received the first gush of Godavari water were in for a shock when they turned up the tap - it was mud, not water, that was coming out. Though their worry subsided with an understanding that it may get cleaner after a while, nothing changed, even after a week.

The much awaited first phase of the Godavari water supply was launched on December 1 amidst much fanfare. After travelling 186 km through main pipeline and 25 km from ring main from Yellampally project in Karimnagar district, the water reaches the city at Qutbullapur from where it is supplied to various parts of city. Presently Kukatpally, Qutbullapur, Seri Lingampally, Patancheru, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Somajiguda, Punjagutta, Khairatabad and SR Nagar areas are getting this water. Since December 1st, water supply from Manjeera and Singur reservoirs was reduced, and 56 gallons of water a day has been supplied to 1.5 lakh consumers under the operation and maintenance (O&M) division-VI (SR Nagar, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and Somajiguda).
Though the officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) initially clarified that the water supplied through this pipeline may be slightly turbid for a few days, residents find it very difficult to use the water for any purpose even after a week's time.
The officials said the water is suitable for all general purposes and may be boiled and filtered by any other method before drinking. They cautioned people to take proper precautions.
This water is being purified at Mallaram treatment plant as per the World Health Organization (WHO) standards but is of no use.
HMWS&SB cautioned the public that it being the first supply and as it travels a long distance, certain turbidity of the pipeline may prevail even after treatment at various locations. But the residents are highly disappointed that though it has been a week of Godavari water supply, the turbidity hasn't been reduced.
K Sambasiva Rao, resident of Bharathnagar in Kukatpally area said, "For the past few days, we have been getting muddy water. As it is unfit for drinking, we are using the water for other purposes like washing, in toilets and for gardening. Even after boiling the water, it is not fit for consumption.Due to this, we are forced to purchase mineral water at Rs 80 per can. The normal rate of a 25-litre mineral water bubble is Rs 40, but private firms have jacked up prices in view of the shortage of water supply ."
So far, 500 complaints were registered with the water board's Metro Customer Care (MCC) on this issue.
G Rameshwar Rao, HMWS&SB director-operations said "The Godavari water travels nearly 180 km to reach the city . In the first phase, alum will be mixed to the raw water as per WHO standards. In the second phase, chlorination will be done. After testing it at the water board's Quality Assurance & Testing (QA&T) wing, it is being supplied to customers. Though we are treating the raw water at the Mallaram plant, Godavari water has been found to be muddy. It may be turbid for some more time. We had been warning consumers about the likely turbidity even before the release of the first phase. They have to either filter or disinfect the water before consumption."

By Revalli Sushma Reddy