REG News
Hyderabad: As Hyderabad’s residential projects compete on luxury amenities, experts have urged homebuyers to check wastewater treatment facilities before purchasing apartments or villas.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled 'Sanitation: A Super Vaccine', organised by the Rotary Club of One Hyderabad (RC1H) at The Leela, Banjara Hills, Girish Mallpani, Chairman and Managing Director of MPM Group, said buyers should ask builders whether wastewater treatment plants are adequately sized, functional and properly maintained.
He noted that features such as swimming pools, landscaped gardens, spas and clubhouses increase water consumption, making efficient wastewater management essential.
Installing a treatment plant alone is insufficient; it must operate effectively, meet applicable standards and support safe water reuse. Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) must ensure regular maintenance after residents take possession.
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Wastewater Treatment & Sustainability
Vivek Pandey, a WASH professional and consultant to the Gates Foundation, advocated treating wastewater close to where it is generated. Decentralised systems can reduce freshwater demand and dependence on conventional sewer networks by enabling treated water to be reused for non-potable purposes, including toilet flushing.
Citing the ReFlow model toilet at Hyderabad’s Lumbini Park, Pandey highlighted on-site treatment and water recovery as practical approaches to sustainable sanitation.
The discussion emphasised that wastewater infrastructure deserves the same attention as lifestyle amenities. Builders must plan adequate facilities, while buyers and RWAs should verify treatment capacity, maintenance arrangements and the intended reuse or disposal of treated water.
The panel was moderated by Prof. V. Srinivas Chary and Abhishek Nath, founder of LooCafe and ReFlow. Experts from government, UNICEF, the British Deputy High Commission and T-Works also participated. RC1H identified water, sanitation and hygiene as a priority for its first two years.
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