A new environmental study reveals that Hyderabad’s primary water reservoirs, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, have degraded significantly due to industrial discharge and sewage now posing health hazards to locals.
Glimpse:
Between 2016 and 2022, water quality indices dropped drastically in both lakes. Osmansagar now veers into “very poor” category, due to heavy metals and coliform contamination. Experts warn of potential disease outbreaks and call for urgent intervention.
Researchers at MANUU have sounded alarm about Hyderabad’s major drinking water sources, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, showing striking deterioration in quality over the past six years. The Water Quality Index (WQI) for Osmansagar fell from 495 to 77, while Himayatsagar dropped from 296 to 102 now nearing levels deemed unsafe for consumption.
The study attributes the decline to untreated sewage influx, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and algal blooms. Elevated levels of E. coli, faecal coliform bacteria, and toxic heavy metals were also detected. This degradation threatens public health, aquatic ecosystems, and groundwater recharge.
Experts and citizen groups are demanding immediate action stricter industrial regulation, modern sewage systems, watershed buffer zones, and community cleanup drives. Without swift safeguards, these water bodies could become epicenters of waterborne diseases.
“What was once our life source is turning into a silent threat neglect kills water, and water kills health.”
By
HB Team
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