Bengaluru water fines have reached Rs 56.90 lakh after the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) recorded 1,138 violations involving the use of potable water for non-essential activities. The enforcement drive covers car washing, gardening, floor cleaning, fountains, swimming pools and certain construction-related uses across Bengaluru Urban district.
The West Zone recorded the highest number of violations, with 286 cases attracting fines worth Rs 14.30 lakh. The BWSSB began the crackdown in June and July, following concerns over inadequate monsoon rainfall and the need to conserve drinking water for future requirements.
The board has prohibited the use of potable water for vehicle washing, gardening, swimming pools, recreational fountains and floor cleaning. The restrictions also cover construction of buildings and roads, as well as non-drinking uses in establishments such as cinema halls, malls and other commercial properties.
According to the report, BWSSB officials first attempted to improve compliance through warnings and public awareness campaigns. Consumers were advised to use treated water for cleaning, sanitation and construction activities. Fines were imposed after some users continued to disregard the instructions.
A BWSSB official cited Sections 33 and 109 of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1964, in explaining the enforcement provisions. Section 33 prohibits the use of drinking water for specified purposes, while Section 109 provides for a fine of Rs 5,000 for violations and an additional Rs 500 penalty for repeat offences.
The board can also reduce the water supply to a property by 50 per cent when violations are recorded. The official said residents should use water responsibly and prioritise reuse, adding that conservation remains important even when reservoir levels are satisfactory.
Alongside penalties, the BWSSB is expanding measures intended to reduce water consumption at the point of use. It plans to install aerators on 9.5 lakh taps across government offices, industries, apartment complexes, hotels, malls, commercial buildings and homes. More than 55,000 taps have already been fitted with the devices.
Aerators reduce water flow while allowing taps to remain usable for normal activities. In high-consumption public locations, the BWSSB is undertaking installations directly and recovering the cost through water bills.
The enforcement action places household consumption, commercial operations and construction activity within the same water-management framework. For residents and property managers, the immediate issue is compliance with restrictions on potable water, while repeat violations can bring higher penalties and reduced supply. The BWSSB’s current programme combines inspections, fines, public communication and infrastructure-level conservation measures as the board expands its service network across Bengaluru Urban district.
