Use of treated water for non-drinking purposes in govt offices; supply it to data centres: Telangana CM

Use of Treated Water for Non‑Drinking Purposes in Government Offices; Supply It to Data Centres: Telangana CM The chief minister of Telangana, K. Chandra Rao, has issued a directive to all state departments to begin using treated water for non‑drinking purposes in offices, schools and other public buildings. In a briefing to senior officials on Thursday, Rao warned that the state’s water reserves are under increasing pressure from rapid urbanisation, climate variability and a surge in industrial demand. He stressed that the move is not a temporary measure but part of a long‑term strategy to safeguard water security for the millions who rely on the network for drinking and hygiene..

Rao’s announcement comes as Hyderabad, the state capital, grapples with record‑breaking summer temperatures that have pushed reservoir levels to historic lows. The Hussain Sagar and Osman Sagar reservoirs, traditionally the backbone of the city’s supply, are now operating at less than 30 % of capacity, prompting concerns among water‑management experts. By reallocating treated water for flushing toilets, cleaning floors and landscaping, the government hopes to free up fresh potable supplies for essential domestic use, thereby reducing the strain on dwindling sources..

The chief minister highlighted that the treated water will be sourced from existing sewage‑treatment plants (STPs) that already process wastewater to a level suitable for non‑potable applications. Telangana currently operates 96 STPs with a combined capacity of 1.2 million cubic metres per day, a figure the administration intends to double over the next three years. Rao announced an accelerated rollout of new treatment facilities, particularly in the burgeoning IT corridors of Gachibowli and HITEC City, where demand for large volumes of water is projected to rise sharply..

One of the most striking elements of the plan is the proposed supply of treated water to data centres, a sector that has exploded in Telangana since the state introduced the “Data Centre Policy” in 2020. These facilities consume vast quantities of water for cooling, and the CM urged the IT ministry to explore partnerships with STP operators to secure a reliable, low‑cost supply. By diverting treated water to data‑centre cooling towers, the government hopes to reduce the sector’s reliance on fresh groundwater, a resource that has been falling at an alarming rate in the Deccan plateau..

The directive also calls for the installation of dual‑pipeline systems in all new government buildings, separating potable and non‑potable water lines. Existing structures will be retrofitted where feasible, with priority given to high‑footfall locations such as district collectorates, police stations and public hospitals. The Ministry of Municipal Administration and Urban Development has been tasked with drafting technical guidelines and a timetable for the retrofitting work, with an ambitious target of completing 70 % of the conversions by the end of the fiscal year..

In addition to infrastructure upgrades, the state will launch an awareness campaign aimed at civil servants and the broader public. Posters, digital signage and e‑learning modules will explain the benefits of using treated water for flushing, gardening and vehicle washing. The campaign seeks to overcome cultural resistance to non‑drinking water use, a hurdle that has hampered similar initiatives in other Indian states..

Rao emphasised that the success of the programme depends on behavioural change as much as on engineering solutions. Financially, the government has earmarked ₹1.8 billion in the 2026‑27 budget for the initiative, covering the cost of pipework, treatment plant upgrades and monitoring equipment. The allocation will be supplemented by a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, inviting private water‑treatment firms to invest in and manage the supply of treated water to data centres and large commercial complexes..

The CM assured that tariffs for non‑potable water will be set at a fraction of the price of drinking water, making the option economically attractive for businesses. Environmental groups have welcomed the move, noting that it aligns with the state’s broader climate‑adaptation goals. The Centre for Water Studies in Hyderabad praised the policy as a “pragmatic response to the twin challenges of water scarcity and burgeoning data‑centre demand.” However, they cautioned that strict quality monitoring is essential to prevent cross‑contamination between potable and non‑potable systems, a risk that could undermine public confidence if not managed properly..

The chief minister’s address also touched on the need for data‑centres to adopt water‑efficient cooling technologies, such as liquid‑cooling and indirect evaporative cooling, which can drastically reduce water consumption. He urged the IT ministry to incorporate water‑efficiency criteria into the state’s data‑centre licensing framework, thereby incentivising operators to invest in greener infrastructure. This aligns with the central government’s “Digital India” vision, which seeks to expand digital services while maintaining environmental sustainability..

Local municipalities are already preparing to adjust their water‑distribution plans. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has begun mapping its network to identify nodes where treated water can be injected without disrupting existing services. Engineers are deploying smart meters to track usage patterns and ensure that treated water is confined to designated non‑drinking applications, a step that will help authorities fine‑tune the system as it scales up..

In the legislative arena, the opposition has largely supported the proposal, with several members of the Telangana Legislative Assembly praising the CM’s forward‑thinking approach. Yet, a handful of critics have raised concerns about the speed of implementation.