Hyderabad is set to become the first city in India to develop a dedicated greywater bank with a capacity of 2,000 million litres per day (MLD), in a major push toward sustainable water management and large-scale wastewater reuse.
The project, being planned by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), aims to collect, store, and redistribute treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs) across the city for industrial and non-potable use.
Massive Scale: Nearly Entire City Wastewater to Be Reused
Hyderabad currently generates and treats around 2,000 MLD of sewage daily through a network of STPs. However, only a small fraction of this treated water is reused, while the majority is discharged into nearby water bodies.
The proposed greywater bank seeks to bridge this gap by creating a structured system for 100% utilisation of treated wastewater, significantly reducing freshwater consumption and groundwater extraction.
Network of STPs and Distribution Infrastructure
Under the plan, treated water from major STPs such as Nagole and Amberpet will be routed through a dedicated pipeline network. The system will include:
Citywide transmission pipelines
Storage reservoirs and balancing tanks
Distribution nodes across industrial and urban zones
The infrastructure is expected to ensure continuous and reliable supply of recycled water to end users.
Industrial, Construction and Urban Use
The recycled water will primarily be supplied to:
Industrial sectors including pharma and manufacturing units
Large-scale construction projects, with potential mandatory usage norms
Urban landscaping, parks, and irrigation systems
High-water demand facilities such as data centres for cooling requirements
Officials indicated that promoting treated water use in construction and industry will be central to reducing pressure on drinking water supply systems.
Reducing Stress on Freshwater Sources
With rapid urban expansion, Hyderabad has been witnessing increasing stress on groundwater and surface water resources. The greywater bank is expected to significantly reduce dependency on freshwater sources by turning wastewater into a structured, reusable resource.
Project Status and Timeline
The project is currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage, which is being prepared by a Delhi-based consultancy. Implementation is expected to be carried out in phases, with completion targeted around 2027, subject to approvals and execution timelines.
A Model for Urban Water Recycling
Officials believe the initiative could position Hyderabad as a national model for urban wastewater reuse, particularly at a time when Indian cities are facing rising water demand and increasing climate stress.
