Hyderabad:The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) plans to launch a mobile app that lets residents report water misuse, with fines for violators added directly to their water bills, Managing Director Ashok Reddy said.
Users will be able to upload photographs and location details of violations. Officials will verify each complaint before taking action. The board has said it will keep complainants' identities confidential.
The app aims to curb the use of drinking water for non-potable purposes and to strengthen public participation in conservation, as the city grapples with a water crisis.
The proposal follows stepped-up enforcement across Hyderabad, with the board inspecting and penalising establishments found misusing drinking water. Forefathers Pub in Jubilee Hills was fined ₹20,000, and its drinking water connection was disconnected. Paradise Hotel was also fined ₹20,000 after officials detected violations during an inspection in the Khairatabad zone. Repeat offenders may face disconnection of their water supply.
Tanker operators will face new rules from November 1. Those found losing water through overfilling, leaks, or faulty or unsecured lids will be fined ₹5,000, and a second violation could lead to cancellation of the tanker's registration. Officials at filling stations have been directed to inspect tankers and stop defective vehicles from loading water until repairs are completed.
The board has already introduced a "Save Water Volunteer" initiative, under which verified volunteers report violations through a mobile application using photographic evidence. It remains unclear whether the new app will build on that initiative or operate as a separate platform.
HMWSSB is also encouraging the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes such as construction, gardening, industrial activities and road cleaning. This would reduce dependence on drinking water for tasks that do not require it and ease pressure on freshwater supplies.
Through public reporting, inspections and financial penalties, the board aims to improve compliance and ensure that drinking water is used responsibly.