DH EXCLUSIVE: Bengaluru's rich use maximum water

In Bengaluru’s daily battle for potable water, the rich are walking away with the lion’s share. The city’s upscale areas have been consuming eight times more water than other localities, according to an ongoing study by Bengaluru-based Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).

Contrary to the cap of 135 litres per person per day prescribed by the Union Urban Development ministry, according to the study, areas like Koramangala, Yelahanka Satellite Town, Sarakki, Gandhinagar, Halasuru and Shantalanagar have emerged as the top localities in per capita water consumption for domestic needs while localities such as Gottigere, Thanisandra and Kadugodi consume much less. The supply per person in these areas varies from as low as 0.39 litres to a whopping 344 litres per person per day.

The pattern of water consumption was analysed by experts of ISEC as part of their major study on Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Prof Krishna Raj, ISEC, who is part of the study said, “The areas that have been consuming more than 200 litres are not only the parts of old Bengaluru but they also happen to be upscale localities.” He added, “It is mostly because these are old areas and have a better access to water. Besides, bigger the houses, higher is the intake. It also means more automobiles and hence higher consumption,” he said. He also attributed this to proximity to storage facilities.

The study shows the average consumption of BWSSB water is less than 10 litres per person per day in areas like Doddabidarakallu, Gottigere, Kuvempunagar, Herohalli, Singasandra, Horamavu, Dodabommasandra and Jakkur. While a few of these areas have no water supply, others choose borewells, officials say.