It looks like the need of the hour is now. It’s not summer yet but water scarcity has started to make its presence felt.

While people earlier relied on borewells during such times, these are now drying up due to lack of rain in the last couple of years. This is causing many Bengalureans to resort to water tankers, both private and those belonging to Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).

Many apartments in the city are facing a crisis of sorts. Melvin Fernandes, a quality auditor, says, “Around a month ago, we stopped getting water in the morning. The residents were informed that the motor needs repair. We found out later that the borewell had dried up and the owners were taking the help of private tankers to provide water to the residents.”

He says that the water supply has been regulated to avoid wastage. “We are provided water only between 6 am to 10 am and then again at 6 pm to 10 pm. We have to manage everything within that time or store water for later,” he shares.

One of the reasons for this, he says, is because the apartment didn’t take up rainwater harvesting or other measures seriously in the past.

Similar to his situation is that of Ritu Kurtakoti, a content writer. “Water is one of the basic necessities and knowing that we don’t have access to that is disheartening. We have about two borewells in the apartment but they are slowly drying up. To prevent the worse, the apartment association has started cutting water supply during night time. I come back home late and when there is no water, it becomes a little difficult. But I understand why we are taking these measures.

Hopefully, it will rain soon.” Srikanth Narasimhan, General secretary of Bangalore Apartment’s Federation, says, “Water scarcity is a problem that we can’t do much about except to be conscious. We are encouraging everyone to call the plumbers and check if there is any leakage in pipes and try to reuse water wherever possible.

There is also certain equipment that is being made by companies that can help in this. For example, the water aviators, a device to reduce water wastage by at least 40 to 70 percent.”

“A number of people have still not understood the seriousness of this problem. They tend to use water luxuriously. Having said that, as long as it is a minority, I think we might just make it through,” he adds. Looks like it is time to wake up and smell the dry earth.