Hyderabad experts urge homebuyers to prioritize wastewater management

During a panel discussion titled “Sanitation: A Super Vaccine” in Hyderabad, real estate and sanitation experts called on homebuyers and residential communities to prioritize wastewater management alongside luxury amenities when selecting properties.

Girish Mallpani, Chairman and Managing Director of MPM Group, advised prospective buyers of villas and luxury apartments to inquire specifically about wastewater treatment plans. He noted that premium lifestyle features, such as private pools and rain showers, can significantly increase water consumption, potentially straining freshwater resources and urban sewage systems if not managed responsibly. Mallpani emphasized that treatment plants must be adequately sized, functional, and regularly maintained.

Vivek Pandey, a WASH professional and consultant to the Gates Foundation, advocated for decentralized wastewater treatment systems. He argued that processing water close to where it is generated reduces pressure on sewer networks and freshwater demand, citing the ReFlow model toilet at Lumbini Park as a successful example of on-site treatment and reuse.