Hyderabad Faces Severe Drinking Water Crisis as Illegal Contaminated Water Sales Rise Hyderabad is grappling with a critical drinking water shortage as soaring summer temperatures strain the city’s supply systems, leaving residents exposed to health risks from contaminated water. While many households rely on purified water, unscrupulous operators are capitalizing on the crisis by operating illegal water businesses, falsely advertising their products as safe for consumption. Health department officials report that over 2,000 water plants operate across the city, spanning areas like Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, and NMC regions such as Aliyabad and Yellampet. However, only approximately 300 of these facilities hold proper licenses, with the majority functioning without adequate oversight, often disregarding hygiene standards, ventilation requirements, and certified filtration systems. The lack of regulation has led to severe public health consequences, with children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals reporting frequent stomach ailments, diarrhoea, and viral fevers. In several localities and suburban areas, residents are forced to depend on unregulated water sources, exacerbating the spread of waterborne diseases. Experts highlight that while legal frameworks exist, including BIS and FSSAI approvals, NABL-accredited water testing, and municipal trade licenses, enforcement remains weak. This lax monitoring has allowed illegal operations to thrive, creating a significant public health threat. The crisis is particularly acute in rapidly expanding peripheral areas like Kollur, Mokila, Tellapur, Nallagandla, and regions beyond Osmannagar, where urbanization has outpaced water infrastructure development.#hyderabad #nmc #malkajgiri #secunderabad #kollur
