As severe crisis looms, Bengaluru announces fines for wastage of drinking water

In recent months, Bengaluru faced a deficit of 300-500 million litres of water daily.

In response to the ongoing water crisis, the Bengaluru Water Board has announced stringent fines for the wastage of drinking water. The water demand has been exacerbated by rising temperatures, which reached a high of 32°C on Monday.

According to NDTV, there was a severe shortage of water last summer, made worse by the rising temperatures and lack of rainfall. There was a significant decline in groundwater level as well.

Half of the 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru ran dry, resulting in further depletion of groundwater level supply.

According to the new regulation, the use of drinking water for non-essential activities such as car washing, gardening, decorative fountains, and even in malls and cinema halls will attract a fine of Rs 5,000.

Repeat offenders will face additional penalties, including an extra Rs 5,000 for each violation and Rs 500 for every subsequent day of non-compliance.

“The use of drinking water for activities such as vehicle washing, gardening, construction, decorative fountains, entertainment purposes, and any non-drinking uses in cinema halls and malls, as well as for road construction and cleaning, is strictly prohibited within Bengaluru city,” the Water Board said.

The board said that the residents could report violations by calling at 1916. The statement by the Water Board also urged the people to take an active role in conserving the city's precious water resources.

Experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have warned of a potential worsening of the water crisis in the months ahead.

In recent months, Bengaluru faced a deficit of 300-500 million litres of water daily.

Bengaluru relies on approximately 1450 MLD (million litres per day) of water from the Cauvery River, along with an additional 700 MLD from groundwater.