Amidst one of the most severe water crises in recent memory, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has initiated a comprehensive strategy to tackle the pressing issue of water scarcity in Bengaluru.
With a keen focus on conserving precious water resources, BWSSB has rolled out measures targeting large consumers, including prominent institutions, commercial establishments, apartment complexes, and industries. The primary objective of this initiative is to achieve significant water savings, aiming to conserve approximately 60 million litres per day (MLD). This strategy is a crucial step towards alleviating the city’s daily water deficit, which currently stands at around 500 MLD against a demand of 2,600 MLD. Presently, Bengaluru relies on sourcing 1,470 MLD from the Cauvery river and 650 MLD from borewells to meet its water requirements. Last month, BWSSB implemented a 20% supply cut on 38 bulk users, resulting in substantial daily savings of nearly 12 MLD. Notably, hospitals were exempted from this reduction. Building on this success, the board now plans to extend supply cuts to other significant consumers, encompassing approximately 20,000 consumers across the city, primarily those consuming between 20 lakh and 2 crore litres of water daily.
To ensure compliance with water conservation measures, BWSSB has announced penalties for non-compliant consumers, including fines of Rs 5,000 and halving of water supply. Additionally, the board has intensified efforts to address unauthorised borewell drilling, which exacerbates groundwater depletion. Strict regulations have been imposed on the usage of potable water for non-essential purposes, with individuals required to obtain official permission for borewell drilling due to declining groundwater levels attributed to inadequate rainfall. In essence, BWSSB’s proactive measures underscore the urgency of addressing Bengaluru’s water crisis through targeted conservation efforts and stringent enforcement mechanisms. By prioritising the conservation of water resources and regulating consumption, authorities aim to mitigate the impact of the water scarcity challenge and ensure sustainable water management for the city’s future.
