Bengaluru, often hailed as India’s Silicon Valley, finds itself in the throes of a severe water crisis, even before the onset of summer. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has sounded alarms, highlighting critical water shortages in the city’s outer regions, particularly areas lacking piped water supply from the Cauvery River.
Groundwater depletion and dried-up borewells have left residential complexes, slum settlements, and commercial establishments in distress, especially those in the 110 villages added to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2008. Despite willingness to pay higher prices, private tankers struggle to meet the soaring demand, leading to exorbitant rates reaching up to Rs 2000 for a 12,000-litre tanker.
Measure to combat the crisis
To cope with the limited water availability, some Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have initiated water rationing measures, halting supply during certain hours. However, concerns have been raised about potential hoarding practices among residents. Moreover, the scarcity has forced the shutdown or price hikes of essential water sources like Reverse Osmosis (RO) units and water ATMs, leaving many residents without access to clean drinking water.
Factors behind the crisis
Experts attribute the crisis to a myriad of factors, including inadequate rainfall, encroachment on water bodies, and a lack of effective water management infrastructure. The expansion of Bengaluru’s population, primarily driven by the tech industry, has placed immense pressure on already strained water resources.
While the BWSSB assures of plans to augment water supply through projects like the Cauvery V Stage, experts stress the need for holistic solutions beyond reliance on the Cauvery River. Sustainable measures such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse, and investments in next-tier cities are advocated to alleviate Bengaluru’s water woes in the long run.
As the city grapples with dwindling water sources and escalating prices, urgent action and collaborative efforts are imperative to ensure water security for Bengaluru’s burgeoning population.
