HMWS&SB MD K Ashok Reddy inspects Durgam Cheruvu amid efforts to curb sewage inflow. (File Image)

Hyderabad: The present situation of Durgam Cheruvu, which is stinking with a foul smell and has turned into an eyesore with dead fish being spotted along the shores, is finally being addressed.

To end the menace, the three-step plan involves checking whether the sewage is entering into the drains on days without rain, a comprehensive review of the performance and water release of the nearby sewage treatment plant (STP) and a trunk main (a large primary pipeline) to be built in accordance with future needs – 2047.

As a part of this task, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) will study the feasibility of completely intercepting incoming sewage and diverting it to the STPs located adjacent to the lake.

The sewage will be delivered through a dedicated pipeline, and the idea is to ensure there is no sewage flowing through the drains even on days without rain.

Durgam Cheruvu was closed on Friday due to HMWS&SB maintenance works, and the board’s managing director, K. Ashok Reddy, inspected the lake on Friday and stressed permanent measures instead of temporary ones.

He directed that all the inflow routes from the starting point of the drains to the lake should be identified and a comprehensive flow map should be prepared within a day or two. Despite the lake being a value addition to the city and establishments, showcasing their properties as lake view and premium one, with their unit near the lake as the unique selling proposition (USP), the lake is in bad shape.

Even till date, there is no assessment about the quantity of water coming into the Durgam Cheruvu and its inflow route, quantity of sewage and quantity of treated water. On Friday, the process of inspecting the drains, sewage flows, STPs, rainwater canals and sewage diversion commenced.

With the aim to eliminate the flow of sewage in the canals on non-rainy days, the HMWS&SB will check the feasibility of completely blocking the incoming sewage and diverting it to the STP through a special pipeline.

The future course of action involves examining the capacity of the existing pipelines, flow levels, water flow, capacity of STPs, etc. and preparing proposals for the establishment of new sewer lines and trunk mains where necessary.

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The HMWS&SB ordered a comprehensive survey of private STPs located in hotels, commercial complexes, high-rise buildings, residential complexes, etc. in the Durgam Cheruvu catchment area.

Ashok Reddy said that details should be collected on the quantity of sewage being generated in those buildings and their STP capacity. In addition to this the quantity of treated water also needs to be recorded along with its usage.

One of the primary tasks is to check whether sewage from these buildings is entering the stormwater drains that are meant to carry only rainwater.

HMWS&SB MD suggested that a system should be set up to continuously monitor the quality of water discharged from private STPs. To execute this, flow meters will be installed in the areas to ensure only treated water is discharged.

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