
Fri Jun 27 14:53:28 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) report reveals dangerously high levels of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and nickel) in water extracted from borewells near the polluted Sunnam Cheruvu lake in Madhapur. This water is being supplied to hostels, educational institutions, and hotels via private tankers due to water shortages. The contamination poses significant health risks, especially to children, and boiling the water will not remove the contaminants. The problem is not unique to Sunnam Cheruvu, with similar issues existing near other water bodies in the city. While some hostels use RO systems, untreated water is still used for purposes that could lead to exposure. HYDRAA has filed police cases against illegal water extraction and is prioritizing the restoration of Sunnam Cheruvu and other lakes.
**News Article:**
**Hyderabad Hostels and Schools Supplied Toxic Water: HYDRAA Report Reveals Heavy Metal Contamination**
**Hyderabad, June 27, 2025:** A new report from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has revealed alarming levels of heavy metal contamination in water supplied to hostels, educational institutions, and hotels in the Madhapur area of Hyderabad. The contaminated water is being drawn from borewells near the heavily polluted Sunnam Cheruvu lake and distributed by private tanker businesses.
According to HYDRAA, water samples analyzed by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board show lead levels 7-12 times above the safe international limit, cadmium levels 2-3 times higher, and nickel levels twice the permissible amount.
“The concentration of these heavy metals poses a significant health risk, particularly for children,” stated a HYDRAA press release. Medical experts warn that exposure to these levels of lead can impact brain development, impair memory, cause anemia, and damage kidneys. Cadmium is linked to kidney dysfunction, weak bones, and increased cancer risk, while excess nickel can cause skin conditions, liver and kidney damage, and early-onset hypertension.
The dangerous situation is a direct result of chronic water shortages in the Serilingampally area, which has led to a proliferation of unauthorized borewells and private water tankers drawing from contaminated sources.
“Boiling the water will not eliminate these heavy metals; in fact, it could concentrate them further, making the water even more hazardous,” HYDRAA cautioned.
While many hostels are equipped with Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants, the agency stresses that this doesn’t provide full protection, as untreated water is still used for various purposes, leading to potential ingestion of the toxic substances.
The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) acknowledged that the problem is not isolated to Sunnam Cheruvu. Similar contamination is suspected near other water bodies and stormwater drains throughout the city.
HYDRAA has filed police cases against those illegally extracting the borewell water and has made the restoration of Sunnam Cheruvu, along with several other lakes in Hyderabad, a top priority. HYDRAA officials are looking to restore Thammidikunta, Nalla Cheruvu, Nalla Cheruvu, Bathukamma Kunta, and Bam Rukn-ud-Daula. The agency hopes these restoration efforts will mitigate the health risks and provide safe water resources for the city.