Hyderabad: Despite a larger consumer base compared to the rest of the Hyderabad, most parts of Old City managed to achieve water security this summer season. Groundwater levels here remain relatively high — averaging 5.7 metres — and reliance on water tankers is minimal. The Charminar division, for instance, which has 60,000 of Hyderabad’s total 13 lakh water connections, required only 991 tankers in April — accounting less than 1% of the city’s bookings. This division includes the Charminar and Bahadurpura assembly constituencies.In contrast, the Durgam Cheruvu division — covering the IT corridor and comprising just 43,000 connections — saw as many as 60,000 tankers deployed throughout April. This division alone accounted for 20% of all tanker bookings last month.A similar trend was noticed in Riyasath Nagar and Vinay Nagar divisions of the Old City. Together, residents here booked 3,700 tankers in April which is one-tenth the demand raised by residents of Kukatpally — another parched pocket — according to data shared by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).Experts and officials attribute this abundance in the Old City to two key reasons: its proximity to major water bodies such as the Musi River and Mir Alam Tank, and relatively limited construction activity compared to the western corridor.While the groundwater levels in Bahadurpura stand at 1.16 metres in April, it was 8.2 metres in Charminar. In contrast, groundwater levels in areas like Kukatpally and Ramachandrapuram was found at depths of 28.23 metres and 21.98 metres, respectively.HMWSSB officials also pointed out that Krishna water pipelines pass through several parts of the Old City, ensuring steady pressure and distribution. “I live in Kukatpally, where borewells have dried up and we now depend on water tankers. However, at my workplace in the Vinay Nagar division, groundwater remains accessible, and residents utilise both groundwater and drinking water based on their needs. The alternate-day drinking water supply, which lasts for 1.30 hours, is sufficient to meet local needs,” said a senior water board official in Vinay Nagar division.Officials added that residents in the Old City generally book tankers only when there is an interruption in the supply due to repair works. “We provide about 2,000 litres per household, which is sufficient for domestic use. The division receives a daily water supply of 28 MGD. Apart from this, Himayatsagar, which serves as the primary drinking water source for the Old City, holds water levels of over 2 TMC,” said R Krishna, General Manager (Charminar division), HMWSSB.Expert’s takeExperts also highlighted that reviving of water bodies will help abundantly in recharging the groundwater level and help in overcoming water crises. “The removal of accumulated sediment from water bodies, clearing the encroachments and blocking the pollutants would increase their water retention capacity and boost natural recharge processes,” said KM Lakshmana Rao, an expert in disaster management.