Hyderabad water board launches PAANI app for citizens to report water wastage

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) on Thursday, October 30, launched a mobile application called PAANI (Water Warriors) to encourage citizens to report drinking water wastage and misuse, as the city braces for a possible water shortage of up to 100 million gallons a day (MGD) between January and August 2027.

Launching the app at the HMWSSB headquarters in Khairatabad, Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar urged households to reduce their water consumption by at least 20%. He cited concerns over possible rainfall deficits due to El Niño conditions and called for greater public participation in conserving water.

Earlier this month, restaurants and pubs such as Paradise in Secunderabad, and Forefathers and Anaganaga in Jubilee Hills, were fined Rs 20,000 each by the water board for allegedly misusing water. 

The PAANI app will allow registered citizens to report instances of drinking water wastage and misuse in their neighbourhoods. Residents can register as 'Save Water Volunteers' through the HMWSSB website by submitting a government-issued identity document. Once their details are verified, they can use the app, available on the Google Play Store, to report violations.

Complaints submitted through the app will undergo SMS-based verification, followed by field inspections by officials. The identities of volunteers reporting violations will be kept confidential. If water misuse is confirmed, notices will be issued to the individuals or organisations concerned, and penalties imposed in accordance with the rules.

The Minister said that the primary objective was to build public awareness and encourage responsible water consumption rather than merely impose fines. The government will also recognise volunteers who make significant contributions to water conservation, with the Chief Minister expected to personally meet and commend “outstanding volunteers”.

The launch comes amid concerns over Hyderabad's drinking water supply. HMWSSB Managing Director K Ashok Reddy said the board currently supplies around 560-570 MGD to the city but expects a shortfall of approximately 100 MGD from the Singur and Manjeera reservoirs between January and August 2027.

The board is working to mobilise an additional 60 MGD from the Godavari and Krishna rivers and Osmansagar reservoir. The remaining deficit could affect nearly three lakh water connections between Patancheru and Narsingi, Ashok Reddy said. The board has submitted an emergency action plan to the state government.

The concerns over water availability come as Telangana faces drought conditions across several parts of the state. The government has declared 365 mandals across 31 districts drought-affected for the 2026 kharif season, following a 17% rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon. The drought classification includes 111 severely affected and 254 moderately affected mandals.

Against this backdrop, the HMWSSB has urged residents to avoid using drinking water for washing vehicles and floors, prevent overhead tanks and sumps from overflowing, and repair leaks promptly. It has also called for rainwater harvesting systems in homes, apartments, gated communities, schools and offices.

The board has stressed that treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants should be used for activities such as construction, industrial operations, watering parks and gardening instead of relying on potable water.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the government was also pursuing the Godavari Phase II and III projects to meet Hyderabad's long-term drinking water requirements.