Hyderabad’s growing dependence on water tankers has become a clear warning sign of declining groundwater levels in the city.“Earlier, only about 40,000 people used to book tankers. Now that number has increased to over one lakh,” Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director K. Ashok Reddy said, stressing on the urgent need for water management.Speaking during a programme with the All India Radio on Friday, he said permanent water security for Hyderabad cannot be achieved only through bringing water from distant sources like Krishna and Godavari rivers. Conserving rainwater and improving groundwater levels are the only long-term solutions.While the city receives rainfall for only about 70 days a year, the dependence on groundwater remains for months. Increased concretisation has also reduced the natural recharge of groundwater, and that’s why installing rainwater harvesting systems in every house and apartment must be taken up, he explained.Citing real cases in the city, he said many apartment complexes which adopted rainwater harvesting have already reported 80 to 90% reduction in tanker usage.The Water Board, along with 18 voluntary organisations, is providing technical support for rainwater harvesting based on local conditions, he informed. Officials are also encouraging the conversion of unused borewells into injection wells for groundwater recharge.Further, the Board has identified 146 waterlogging points in the city and is developing underground storage wells to prevent rainwater stagnation while increasing groundwater reserves. Residents can contact the Board for technical assistance on rainwater harvesting on 155313 or Special Officer (Rainwater Harvesting) on 9989985102. Published - July 31, 2026 06:54 pm IST