The 20% challenge: how a Hyderabad home can cut water use by a fifth

Hyderabad homes have been asked to cut water use by at least 20%. Here is why, and what the water board itself recommends.

Why now. Hyderabad district's June–September rain was 27% below normal (TGDPS). Tanker bookings are about 7,000 a day, against the usual 3,500 in October, and average groundwater has dropped to 10 m below ground, from 3.55 m last year (The Hindu, 16 October 2026).

Official tips from HMWSSB and the state government (2026):

• Fix household leaks immediately.
• Cut down on shower use.
• Dry-sweep for daily cleaning. Hose pipes for washing vehicles, ramps or roads are banned.
• Switch off the pump before the overhead tank overflows.
• Maintain rainwater-harvesting pits. They are mandatory in tanker-dependent areas.
• Report leaks, overflowing tanks, vehicle washing with drinking water and unauthorised connections on HMWSSB's PAANI app, with a photo.

Penalties. Using drinking water to wash floors or vehicles counts as wastage. HMWSSB fines now reach ₹20,000 per instance, and repeat offenders face disconnection (The Hindu, 21 September 2026).

Saving a fifth is easier when a whole building does it together. Share these tips in your residents' group, and use only official HMWSSB channels for supply complaints.

Join the El Niño help room on soshyal.com to ask questions and share what you see in your area.