6 factors that have contributed to Bengaluru’s water crisis

Bangalore water crisis: Large water bodies in Bengaluru have become heavily polluted due to industrial effluents and untreated sewage. (Photo credit: Wasque via Wikimedia Commons)

Bengaluru, once known for its lush greenery and plentiful water sources, now finds itself grappling with an unprecedented water crisis. Several factors have contributed to this alarming situation. Here's a look at six key contributing factors:

1. Prolonged droughts and concretisation: Prolonged droughts and extensive concretisation have worsened the water crisis in Bengaluru. Over the past five decades, the city has witnessed a drastic reduction in green cover, with paved surfaces now occupying a staggering 86 percent of the area.

2. Dependence on groundwater: Concretisation has not only hindered rainwater from replenishing groundwater tables but has also led to overreliance on groundwater. Approximately half of Bengaluru’s population depends on groundwater, which is being rapidly depleted.

3. Depletion of native rivers: Native rivers like Vrushabhavathi have been reduced to drainage channels, leaving Bengaluru reliant on distant sources like the Cauvery River, situated nearly 100 km away. This has also led to the depletion of water resources in neighbouring districts.

4. Unplanned urban growth: Decades of unplanned and unregulated urban growth have exacerbated the water crisis. The rapid erosion of green cover, overexploitation of natural resources, and encroachment of lakes have further strained water availability in the city.

5. Inequitable water distribution: Despite Bengaluru receiving an annual rainfall of around 900 mm, a significant portion of this water is diverted into drains due to inadequate infrastructure and management. Additionally, the per capita consumption of water is unevenly distributed, with some residents forced to survive on far less water compared to others.

6. Pollution and encroachment of water bodies: Large water bodies like Bellandur Lake have become heavily polluted due to industrial effluents and untreated sewage flowing into them. Encroachments on water bodies have further diminished natural percolation mechanisms and restricted groundwater recharge, compounding the city’s water woes.

Addressing these challenges will require concerte efforts to conserve water, restore green cover, and adopt sustainable urban planning practices. Failure to act decisively risks further exacerbating the water crisis.