4 of Hyderabad’s 6 drinking water sources critically polluted - Is city waiting for Indore-like tragedy?

• Most of Hyderabad's drinking water sources are critically polluted, studies show
• Osmansagar lake has high faecal bacteria and heavy metals, posing health risks
• Old pipelines and industrial pollution further increase contamination danger

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With national attention focused on drinking water safety after the Indore tragedy that claimed at least 17 lives, fresh concerns have emerged closer home. Several scientific studies have found that a majority of Hyderabad’s drinking water sources are critically polluted, raising serious public health concerns for the city’s residents.

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Hyderabad currently draws around 600 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water from six major sources - Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Singur, Manjeera, Akkampally (Krishna) and Sripada Yellampalli (Godavari). Together, these sources meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.

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However, studies conducted by leading academic and research institutions show that at least four of these six sources, Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Krishna and Godavari, are polluted to varying degrees. These four sources alone supply nearly 80% of Hyderabad’s drinking water, or about 470 MGD. While Manjeera and Singur have been found to be relatively clean.

“The city is like a sitting duck for an Indore-like tragedy. Even a small lapse in treatment or supply can contaminate the entire network,” TOI quoted K M Lakshmana Rao, a disaster management expert as saying.

Osmansagar in the most critical condition

Among all sources, Osmansagar’s condition is the most concerning. Research has found high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, indicating sewage contamination, along with traces of heavy metals. A study titled Assessment of Water Quality of Osmansagar, published in September 2025 by scholars from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), rated the lake’s water quality as “very poor.”

According to researchers, untreated sewage from nearby residential areas flows directly into the lake. The problem is worsened by surrounding industries that discharge effluents, as well as pesticides and fertilisers from nearby agricultural fields.

“Faecal contamination clearly points to serious health hazards,” a researcher noted.

Industrial pollution affecting Krishna and Godavari

Industrial activity is a major source of pollution in the Krishna and Godavari rivers. A March 2025 report by NIT Warangal highlighted how pharmaceutical units, chemical factories and heavy water production facilities in Telangana contribute to Krishna River pollution. The Nagarjunasagar stretch, from where water is pumped to Hyderabad, was identified as particularly affected.

The report warned that unregulated industrial activity, especially in districts like Medak, is threatening both drinking water and irrigation supplies.

Similarly, a joint study by NEERI and IIT-Hyderabad found that untreated wastewater is being discharged into the Godavari from areas such as Ramagundam and Mancherial. The presence of a municipal landfill dangerously close to the river further increases the risk.

Since the Sripada Yellampalli project, which supplies about 162 MGD to Hyderabad, is located downstream of these pollution sources, experts fear contamination at the source itself.

Health risks and a fragile system

Polluted drinking water can lead to outbreaks of diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, fever and other waterborne diseases. Experts warn that Hyderabad’s dependence on polluted sources, combined with the complexity of its supply system, makes the city highly vulnerable.

“Even a minor operational error can have city-wide health consequences,” Lakshmana Rao said. The concern is not only about pollution at the source but also about how water travels to homes.

Ageing pipelines add to the danger

Adding to the problem is Hyderabad’s ageing water supply infrastructure. Old, corroded pipelines, frequent leaks and their close proximity to sewer lines significantly increase the risk of contamination during distribution.

“Water pipelines and sewer lines often run parallel or intersect. With weak joints and invisible cracks, contamination can happen anytime,” TOI quoted Anant Maringanti, director of Hyderabad Urban Lab, as saying. He stressed that this is not a theoretical threat but a real and ongoing risk.