Treated water, next option to quench City's thirst

Treated water may well be the last resort to quench the City’s thirst, if indications from the Bangalore Water Supply Sewerage Board are to be believed.

BWSSB and Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar has said that the Board is contemplating a Singapore-model project to treat water to meet the water crisis in the City.
At an interaction with Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers at Jagannath Bhavan, the BJP State headquarters, the minister said that during his recent visit to Singapore, he was offered “new water”.

Launched by the government there, the “new water” is treated water that is as good as any packaged water of international brand. “I have no hesitation to say that we were given the same water to drink. If Singapore can do it, why not Bangalore,” he asked. Inspired by it, he wants to emulate the system here. According to him, a state-of-the-art plant will be set up to “convert any polluted water to potable water”. Ten such treatment plants are planned across the City, the minister added.

The treatment plant will reduce too much dependence on River Cauvery, the primary source of drinking water for the City.

He said, “Now, it is our duty to save Cauvery from over utilisation.” He said 1,400 mld of Cauvery water is being brought to the City, which would fall short by 2020.

Considering this, the government would prepare an action plan to revive rivers and lakes. Besides, the board aims to release treated water into lakes and stormwater drains. Rejuvenation of River Arkavathi is also on the cards, the Minister added.