Hyderabad man fined ₹1,000 for using drinking water to wash motorcycle

HMWSSB fines man for misusing drinking water to wash motorbike, warns against further violations to conserve water.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has fined a man for using drinking water to wash his motorbike. The board issued issuing a warning against such misuse. The incident occurred in Jubilee Hills, where officials noticed the violation during a routine inspection. The individual was served a notice and was fined ₹1,000.

HMWSSB managing director Ashok Reddy was travelling from Punjagutta to Jubilee Hills when he spotted a water leakage near Road No. 78. Mr. Reddy directed the area general manager to investigate the issue. During the inspection, the O and M Division GM Harishankar and the local manager discovered a man using drinking water supplied by the Water Board to clean his bike, leading to the action.

The Water Board has reiterated its appeal to citizens to avoid using treated drinking water for purposes like washing vehicles, gardening, or cleaning surroundings. Officials have warned that legal action will be taken against violators.

With summer approaching, the city is already facing a decline in groundwater levels, and the demand for water tankers has risen in some areas. Officials anticipate a potential water shortage in the next two months and have urged residents to conserve drinking water. The Water Board currently supplies 550 million gallons per day (MGD) to over 1.37 million connections within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits, at a cost of ₹48 per kilolitre, as per a press release.