Book a mobile water tanker only if your underground sump is empty, as the tanker drivers are refusing to dump the leftover water into a friendly neighbour’s house. Citizens argued that when they pay full amount for 5,000 litres of water, they have every right to share it with their neighbours. Besides, it is difficult to ensure that the sump is empty on the arrival of the tanker as the water supply is erratic and there is no guaranty when the tanker will come.
“Borewells in most of the houses have dried up. In such a scenario, sharing of water is a friendly gesture. But the tanker drivers are refusing to do so,” said C.V. Srivatsa of Syndicate Bank Colony, near AOC. However, the drivers say that they are only following the rules.
“When asked, the driver said he would rather let the water run down the road than dumping the same into my neighbour’s sump,” complained Ms Vilasini Sawant of Brindavan colony in Malkajgiri. Several other citizens accused the tanker drivers of selling the left over water to commercial establishments on their way back to the pump house or water filling stations. “A tanker driver told me that they have strict instructions to deliver water only to the designated house. This rule is to avoid delays, he said. I am sure that senior officials would not give such senseless orders,” said K. Raja Reddy of Trimulgherry.
Mohammed Osman Ali of West Marredpally said that the fault lies with the officials as they are unable to manage the delivery schedules and ensure that the tanker reaches at a particular time. “And as if this was not enough, they frame rules like not giving leftover water to any other person than the one who has booked. After all, neighbours help each other in need and I would have taken water from them when I needed,” Mr Osman Ali said.
Officials of the Water Board and Cantonment said the tanker drivers have been told to avoid delays as the waiting list of customers for tanker water is swelling. “It takes time to remove the pipe from tanker noose and reconnect it again after taking the vehicle to neighbours’ house to dump water,” an official said, adding that there is no foul play in it and this rule has been set in the interests of the citizens.