The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has directed all its offices to reduce water and electricity consumption by at least 20%, with air conditioners (ACs) to be set at 25 degrees Celsius and switched off after 5pm.
Small savings adopted as daily habits by employees could lead to significant reductions in consumption, he added.
Ashok Reddy said every employee should treat electricity conservation as a personal responsibility and ensure that water and power are not wasted. He said water conservation must go beyond a publicity exercise and become part of the board’s day-to-day functioning.
The directive comes amid concerns over water resources in view of El Niño conditions expected in the coming period.
HMWSSB managing director K Ashok Reddy issued the instructions, stressing that officials must lead by example before asking the public to conserve water and electricity, according to a report by Hyderabad Mail.
The managing director has directed every office to regularly review its water and electricity consumption and compare the figures with previous usage to achieve the target of at least 20% savings. The board will identify and encourage offices that effectively implement the conservation measures and meet the 20% savings target. Officials heading the respective offices will be responsible for implementing the measures. Ashok Reddy warned that negligence in preventing water and electricity wastage would be viewed seriously and that laxity in implementing the conservation measures would not be tolerated. Officers and employees who perform well in conserving water and electricity will receive appreciation certificates every month. The initiative is aimed at encouraging healthy competition among offices and motivating departments to work together to achieve the target.
