Hyderabad, October 23, 2026: Real estate and sanitation experts at a panel discussion in Hyderabad have called on homebuyers and residential communities to give wastewater management the same priority as luxury amenities when selecting villas and apartments. The event, titled “Sanitation: A Super Vaccine,” was organised by the Rotary Club of One Hyderabad (RC1H) at The Leela, Banjara Hills last week.
Speakers said that as Hyderabad’s real estate sector increasingly competes on premium lifestyle features, effective wastewater treatment is essential for sustainable housing, environmental protection and public health.
Builders and buyers urged to act
Girish Mallpani, Chairman and Managing Director of MPM Group, urged prospective buyers to ask builders about their wastewater treatment plans, not just visible amenities. He noted that features like private pools, rain showers and elaborate water installations can raise water consumption, making responsible wastewater management crucial to avoid straining freshwater resources and urban sewage systems.
Mallpani emphasised that simply installing a treatment plant is insufficient; it must be adequately sized, functional and regularly maintained. He called on Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to ensure sewage is treated before discharge or reuse, in line with standards, and to make wastewater management a key factor in property selection and long-term community maintenance.
Decentralised solutions recommended
Vivek Pandey, WASH professional and consultant to the Gates Foundation, advocated for decentralised wastewater treatment systems that process water close to where it is generated. He argued that conventional systems, which transport waste over long distances, increase freshwater demand and pressure on sewer networks.
Pandey cited the ReFlow model toilet at Lumbini Park, Hyderabad, as an example of on-site treatment and water reuse, and recommended similar approaches for urban developments. He said such solutions can reduce dependence on conventional sewerage and make water reuse part of sustainable urban growth.
Panel calls for sector-wide collaboration
The discussion highlighted the need for builders to plan wastewater infrastructure according to project needs and for RWAs to treat ongoing operation and maintenance as a core responsibility. Homebuyers were advised to ask about the capacity, maintenance and reuse plans of wastewater treatment plants, not just lifestyle amenities.
The panel called for stronger collaboration among developers, residents, RWAs, technology providers and public authorities to promote responsible water use and sustainable residential communities.
Panel participants and organisers
The session was moderated by Prof. V. Srinivas Chary, former Director of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and advisor to T-Works, Dasra and the Gates Foundation, along with Abhishek Nath, founder of LooCafe and ReFlow. Other panellists included Dr. T. K. Sridevi, IAS, Secretary of the Municipal Administration Department and Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, Government of Telangana; Dr. Zelalem Birhanu Tafesse, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF India; Rohit Chandragiri, FCDO, British Deputy High Commission; and Col. M. Chandan Kumar, Head of Engineering at T-Works. District Governor Uday Pilani, Rotary District 3150, also addressed the gathering.
The event was part of RC1H’s focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for its first two years.
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