Ensure piped water supply, stress on harvesting

Another summer is upon us, and the city’s drinking water needs are getting into sharp focus yet again. Every year, the most intense shortage occurs in the 110 villages on the city’s outer wards. How is the system shaping up this year?

Is the reliance on water tankers the same, or has the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) made better plans this time? DH interacts with a cross-section of Bengalureans to understand the issue.

Sharan Umesh, an entrepreneur, has this to say: “The drinking water crisis during summer is not a new thing. It is happening for several years even as the groundwater levels are depleting. The government is not finding a sustainable way to address it.”

Thinking about the water crisis only with the onset of summer will not do, he says. “We should think about it when we are getting adequate rain. One of the best options that we can do in the villages on the outskirts of the city is to promote rainwater harvesting.”

Also read: Recharge wells, a strategy explained

There are government schemes which support the digging of wells and ponds. “So, through the help of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act) workers, we can conserve water for the summer,” Sharan suggests.

Not linked to the Cauvery water supply network, most residents on the city’s outskirts still depend on private water tankers. But getting tanker supply in time is getting increasingly problematic due to the heavy road congestion.

Ashitha Sarma, a resident of Whitefield, explains, “Tankers cannot be an alternative for long due to the time factor. The city traffic is getting worse and the tanker supply will get delayed. Perhaps, a time slot can be fixed. Besides, pipeline connectivity should be available and water supply ensured at least on alternate days on the city’s outskirts.”

Also read: Recharged aquifers, only solution?

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) maintains that its pipelines have been laid in half of the villages. Paul B, a resident of Jalahalli, notes, “If the BWSSB says the pipeline-laying is in the final stage, these villages should get water supply without any further delay. Piped water supply is far better than tankers.”

Sandra, who works as a food safety team leader, says: “The discrimination between the city centre and the outlying areas of the city should end. Most of the time, the inner city areas get better facilities. If we recharge the ponds, open wells and other sources, groundwater table can be recharged and in due course, parity can be achieved in access to clean, drinking water.”

The pipeline-laying work in the 110 villages is nearing completion. But Sandra wants the water authority to ensure that the quality of water provided is good, and foolproof mechanisms are in place to prevent any contamination in the future.

“They should periodically check if there are bacteria, lead content or any other foreign bodies in the piped water. In the past, in areas with piped water supply, we have seen several health problems crop up due to contamination and the poor quality of water supplied,” she adds.