The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) certified the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) as Water Plus. According to a press release from the GHMC, it is the first local body in Telangana to achieve this coveted status in the Swachh Bharat certifications. ODF (Open Defecation Free), ODF+, ODF++, and Water+ certifications were available, with GHMC already holding ODF++ status.

A local body must ensure that all toilet facilities are 100% accessible to everyone in order to earn the ODF label. ODF+ is awarded when toilets are well maintained and essential amenities such as running water and sanitation are provided by connecting to sewage networks. When solid and liquid waste management (STPs) are established, ODF++ is offered.

The GHMC was evaluated for this certification through third-party inspections against nine indicators, including safe sewage discharge, safe cleaning practices, mechanical equipment support, treatment capacities, reuse of treated water, drain maintenance, cost recovery, grievance redress mechanism, and establishment of sanitation authority and response units.

According to the GHMC statement, the certification is directly attributable to the 25 sewage treatment plants established by the HMWS&SB and three by the HMDA for the treatment of wastewater released from households and commercial establishments. As per the report, all of these STPs effectively treat 772 million liters of sewage per day before discharging it. The treated water is reused for parks, road construction, and public toilets before being released downstream for agricultural purposes. This is consistent with the government's emphasis on water conservation and reuse, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and sanitation, according to the note.

This recently acquired certification is all because of the joint efforts taken by the HMWS&SB and HMDA.