Hyderabad’s Rainwater Harvesting Boosts Groundwater Levels

Residents of Hyderabad are experiencing a significant improvement in groundwater levels, with increases ranging from 3 to 9 metres compared to the previous year. This revival follows a campaign titled ‘Every Home a Rainwater Pit – 90 Days Special Drive,’ initiated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Minister Ponnam Prabhakar about a year ago. According to data from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), the groundwater department has observed promising results from this initiative.

The HMWS&SB reported in September that groundwater levels have notably risen in various localities. For instance, in Kukatpally, levels increased from 11.29 metres in 2024 to 7.90 metres in 2025, marking an improvement of 3.39 metres. Other areas such as Jeedimetla and RC Puram saw increases of 9.53 metres and 9.65 metres respectively, while Uppal rose by 6.86 metres and Kapra (Balajinagar) by 5.36 metres.

These improvements are attributed to effective rainwater percolation and an increase in monsoon rainfall, which was reported to be 42 percent higher than normal. Areas that previously recorded groundwater depths of 14-28 metres are now showing water levels at depths of just two to 11 metres, indicating successful infiltration through recharge pits.

As borewell yields have improved, the demand for private water tankers has decreased significantly, dropping by 12 to 50 percent across the city. The most substantial reductions were observed in the Vinaynagar division, where demand fell by 50 percent, followed by Durgam Cheruvu at 37 percent, Kuthbullapur at 35 percent, Kapra-Uppal at 29 percent, and Manikonda at 6 percent.

To further support water availability, the HMWS&SB has implemented large-scale rainwater harvesting measures across both residential and commercial properties. The board has made rainwater harvesting pits mandatory for plots larger than 300 square metres. This initiative is being coordinated with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and other municipal bodies to ensure compliance.

The progress seen in Hyderabad’s groundwater levels highlights the effectiveness of targeted environmental measures and community engagement in addressing water scarcity challenges. As the city continues to adapt to changing climatic conditions, these initiatives will play a critical role in fostering sustainable water management practices.