B'luru’s water crisis deepens; Driest Sept in decades exposes demand-supply gap

As reservoirs dwindle & demand skyrockets, IT City's growing reliance on private tankers underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management

NT Bengaluru: As Bengaluru faces its driest September in decades, concerns are mounting over the city's already strained water supply. Dwindling reservoirs and rising demand have experts warning of a looming water crisis unless immediate action is taken. "Bengaluru's water crisis is because of rapid urbanisation and the delayed implementation of the Stage 5 Cauvery water plan," explained Shashank Palur, Senior Hydrologist at WELL Labs. He pointed out that the city's population has doubled over the last seven years, but infrastructure has not kept up with this surge in water demand. One of the main contributors to this crisis is unsustainable water consumption.

"Many people in Bengaluru are using over 250 litres of water per day, far exceeding the recommended 150 litres," Shashank said. "This is driven by indulgent habits, like long showers and bathtubs, and reflects a general lack of appreciation for this precious resource." He emphasised the urgent need for change in consumption patterns, warning that such use is unsustainable. To address the crisis, Shashank proposed adopting a solution inspired by Singapore's successful water management model. "We need to make better use of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to treat and recycle wastewater," he suggested.

"By treating just 50 per cent of Bengaluru’s wastewater, we could significantly alleviate the pressure on our water supply, with enough recycled water to cover urban needs like gardening, cleaning, and flushing." Shashank also highlighted the stigma surrounding the use of recycled water as a barrier to progress. "This is not something to be avoided, but rather an opportunity for Bengaluru to embrace a sustainable approach to water management,” he said. Activist Sandeep Anirudhan of Namma Whitefield stated similar concerns, particularly regarding the long-awaited launch of Cauvery Phase 5, set to commence during Dasara. “The Cauvery plan might be a dream for many, but the reality is there has to be water in the river for it to supply the city,” Sandeep said.

“The river is drying up, and the city's population is increasing unchecked. The root cause of the problem is a lack of proper urban planning.” Sandeep further emphasised the role of rampant illegal construction and borewell drilling in exacerbating the crisis. “Illegal layouts and unregulated drilling for groundwater are rampant. People are now drilling down to 2,000 feet or more, and yet the government isn’t taking steps to ban it. The Cauvery supply is simply insufficient for Bengaluru’s growing demand, and most of the city is dependent on water tankers, which come with their own set of problems.” Residents like Danny Venkatesh have experienced the crisis firsthand. “I have never asked BWSSB to supply water by tanker because I don’t have the storage capacity,” Danny said.

“But for people in internal areas of Whitefield, they have no choice but to rely on water tankers. The tanker mafia is a reality here, and the parallel economy thrives while residents suffer.” Bengaluru continues to rely heavily on private tankers for its water needs, highlighting the urgent need for better urban planning, sustainable water management practices, and a shift in consumption habits. Without proactive measures, the city’s growing dependence on tankers may only deepen its water woes.

“Many in Bengaluru are using over 250 litres of water per day, far beyond the recommended 150 litres. This unsustainable consumption is a ticking time bomb for the city's water supply,” warns Shashank Palur, Senior Hydrologist.