Hyderabad: Hussainsagar, if not de-watered, would take close to eight years for the tank to reach a level where the water can be termed “non-potable” and used for irrigation and other purposes.

Going by the present condition, the man-made lake by 2023 would be ready for raw use (non drinkable), said experts from the Buddha Purnima Project of HMDA. With the progress of the Hussainsagar and Catchment Area project, the lake is gradually on a natural level increasing in the amount of dissolved oxygen that brings back aquatic life.

The non-potable water can be used for construction, irrigation, landscaping, gardening or any washing purpose. One of the major tasks faced by the owing agency is mixing of storm water with sewerage water, entering the lake.

Hussainsagar is mainly being de-watered to improve quality of water, quantity and infiltration. Going by the present structure, the state government is running three months behind schedule.