HYDERABAD: The existing fleet of water tankers hired by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) will be replaced with stainless steel water tankers in order to prevent water wastage by putting a check to leakages.
Following the example set by the Delhi Jal Board, the HMWS&SB has decided to replace its existing water tankers with stainless steel tankers in a phased manner. These stainless steel containers will have a capacity of five kilo litres and 10,000 litres.
HMWS&SB officials told Express that many of their existing tankers, which are made of iron and ordinary steel, have become rusted leading to water leakage. If a customer books a five kilo liter tanker, by the time the tanker reaches the customer’s house, about 500 litres of water is lost due to leakages. Stainless steel tankers are much more resistant to corrosion, in comparison to ordinary steel and leakages are ruled out in the stainless steel water tankers. These tanks also require minimum maintenance, in comparison to other available options.
Stainless steel tankers are durable in nature and they offer a relatively high resistance against external forces. They will last longer than an ordinary tanker.
By using a stainless steel tanker, the risk of cracking, freezing and rust are reduced, the Water Board officials claim.
Apart from being hygienic, stainless steel tankers are easy to clean, and one of the best cost-saving alternatives. Currently, the HMWS&SB maintains 920-925 water tankers on a hire basis which is not sufficient to meet the additional demand for drinking water during the summer season. Hence, it has been decided that private tankers with a capacity of 5 kilo liters will be hired.
HMWS&SB is currently charging Rs 400 for a five kilo liters domestic tanker and a commercial tanker (for corporate schools, colleges, hostels, hotels, industries, companies, hospitals, shops, super markets, banks, insurance corporations etc) of the same capacity costs about Rs 700 each. The Water Board also supplies 400 to 500 free tankers to slum areas.
Water within Reach
■ The Water Board maintains around 920-925 water tankers and hires them for domestic and commercial purposes
■ One domestic tanker of 5 KL capacity costs `400 and a commercial tanker costs Rs 700