JOIN USThere are numerous problems, whether it’s the exorbitant water tanker bills or availability on a regular basis that arise from inefficient water management. And though many in Bengaluru have resigned themselves to these problems, these are mere symptoms of water crisis that some claim will make the City unliveable within a few decades.
Although the BWSSB continues to expand availability, private entities work to solve problems of sanitation, cost and supply, which threaten to turn water into an endangered commodity. The current water supply is insufficient and unable to keep up with the City’s burgeoning growth and demand. In spite of BWSSB claims that there would be no shortage this summer, residents are plagued by stoppages. The problem is especially acute in the outskirts, as the government is yet to supply water for many of these localities.
“As the City limits expand, areas on the outskirts of Bengaluru still have to privately manage their water supply,” said Shubha Ramachandran, a water sustainability consultant for Biome Environmental Trust. But buying from private suppliers has its own problems. “There’s no way to check where the water is drawn from when it comes to private tankers,” she explained. “Also, some tankers bring in less amounts of water but still charge for the entire tank.” This lack of oversight also allows tankers to charge exorbitant prices. In some areas, around Rs 600 per 6,000 litres of water is charged.
Residents with Cauvery River water connections also face problems of supply. Uma M said that her Hebbal residence constantly faces water supply stoppages. One such shortage lasted for 15 days in June. Residents of these areas often resort to extreme measures when no water is available. “I have even heard of people in Bellandur using mineral water for bathing,” said Ayyappa Masagi, founder of the Water Literacy Foundation. Regardless of duration, shortages cost valuable time and money. “Our water was off for more than two weeks,” recounted Nijananda, resident of CN Palya. Even with the supply of Cauvery River water, Ayyappa said that borewells are drying up, and shortages demonstrate the inadequacy of the system.
However, issues of contamination are even more pressing. According to a spokesperson, the BWSSB recently began construction of a new water treatment plant to supply clean water. But others say the City urgently requires new systems for purifying and utilising waste water. “Whatever existing mechanisms are there, they are not falling into place,” said Shubha. According to a 2014 study by the World Health Organization, nearly 72 per cent of Bengaluru’s residents receive water contaminated with chemicals, bacteria and nitrates that can cause severe diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to organ damage. Additionally, sanitation facilities are not provided to localities without access to BWSSB water. “While the government plans to provide water for these localities, they will not provide sanitation beforehand,” added Shubha.
The pollution in Bellandur and Varthur Lakes attest to the lack of sanitation mechanisms. Untreated waste is diverted from smaller lakes into these larger lakes, resulting in mountains of chemicals and pollution. Areas without BWSSB drainage systems often drain their waste water into storm water drains, which empty into lakes causing further contamination.
Water illiteracy is a major problem and many citizens are taking matters into their own hands. “We are not only pointing out problems but also finding solutions,” said Ayyappa. While the BWSSB also recommends measures for conserving water, some have gone one step further and take creative measures to conserve.
Kannan Venkitachalam, an engineer in Doddanekkundi, convinced the residents of his building to install water meters so that every resident paid only for their usage. Previously, residents of his apartment paid high bills for water tankers with just four hours of supply each day. After his initiative, two tankers were enough to maintain a 24-hour water supply. “Unless each resident knows how much water they use, they can’t control or save water,” he said. He believes that conservation efforts require a sense of personal accountability.
Rainwater harvesting has also emerged as one of the most sustainable methods for water supply, encouraged by both the BWSSB and experts in the field. “Bengaluru’s rainfall would go a long way in meeting the current demand,” said Shubha. Ayyappa added that a wider public response was needed for it to do any real good. Others are also exploring grey water harvesting, a process of returning used tapwater into the ground to replenish groundwater supplies. “Wells are also a plausible solution, provided adequate sanitation measures are taken,” said Shubha. Ultimately, as Ayyappa explained, “Water is not a commodity; it is a resource for all… We must act now for the good of the future generation.”