Patrolling staff of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) intercepted a septic tanker attempting to illegally discharge sewage into the Himayat Sagar reservoir at FTL point number 428 in Himayat Nagar village.
The tanker, bearing registration number TG11 T1833, was caught in the act during routine surveillance. Upon interrogation, the driver Ramavat Shiva Nayak (33) and loader Niranjan, a resident of Himayat Nagar, confessed to the illegal activity.
Water board officials identified three serious violations in the incident. The tanker was found using the HMWSSB logo without authorization, apparently to deceive authorities and evade inspections. The vehicle was not registered with the board, and the act posed severe environmental risks by threatening to contaminate drinking water supplied to lakhs of residents.
A criminal case has been registered against the accused at Moinabad police station. The board has sought strict punishment under relevant sections.
Addressing concerns raised on social media about the incident, HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy clarified that the tanker was seized before any sewage could be dumped. He assured citizens that no waste entered the reservoir and there is no cause for alarm.
The MD explained that sewage water occasionally flows from surrounding areas into the twin reservoirs, and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being constructed on both sides. These STPs are expected to be completed within six months, enabling 100% treatment of incoming sewage.
Regarding water quality, Ashok Reddy emphasized that water supply follows a triple chlorination process as per Indian Standard (IS-10500-2012). The process includes chlorination at water treatment plants, main balancing reservoirs, and service reservoirs, ensuring exactly 0.5 ppm chlorine in supplied water.
Water from Gandipet is transferred to Asif Nagar and Miralam water treatment plants, where quality testing is conducted every hour.
The board has announced increased vigilance to prevent such incidents. Citizens are urged to report any illegal waste dumping near reservoirs immediately to local authorities or the water board’s customer care number 155313. Ashok Reddy stated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to pollute drinking water resources.
