Bengaluru water board to take over borewells at construction sites; says will instead provide treated water

Bengaluru is currently grappling with one of its most severe water crises even before the peak of summer. According to BWSSB, the situation is manageable in core areas but critical in the city's outer regions, especially near tech corridors where there is no piped supply of water from the Cauvery River.

Under severe water crisis, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has decided to take over borewells at construction sites and to provide treated water instead.

BWSSB chairman Dr V Ram Prasath Manohar told Moneycontrol, "Construction sites require a large quantity of water. While treated water is supposed to be used for construction, it wasn't regulated properly when groundwater was abundant."

During a meeting with major builders in the city, Manohar emphasised the mandatory use of recycled and environmentally friendly water for construction purposes, especially for buildings above 20,000 sq ft.

He said that they have already communicated with 338 major builders in the city. "Builders were drilling borewells and using the water, which belongs to us. Our plan now is to take control of these borewells. We have proposed providing secondary and tertiary treated water for construction activities. We plan to negotiate a consensus to utilise borewells at construction sites for domestic purposes during this crisis situation," he said.

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Water supply reduced by 20%

Manohar said they have decided to cut water supply to bulk customers by 20% from March 15 due to the ongoing crisis.

He highlighted the need for cooperation from the city's bulk consumers which is around 3 lakh.

He instructed institutions with more water connections, such as railways, HAL, Air Force, Defence, CRPF, Biocon, Nimhans, Victoria Hospital, and others, to raise awareness about water conservation on their premises.

According to a report by Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods (WELL) Labs associated with IFMR-Krea University, "In addition to the 1,460 MLD of Cauvery water, Bengaluru currently consumes an estimated 1,372 MLD of groundwater." The current demand is 2,632 MLD, with the main consumers being residents (72 percent), commercial establishments (8 percent), the industrial sector (17 percent), and the construction sector (2-3 percent).

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BWSSB bans use of drinking water for filling swimming pools

BWSSB also issued orders prohibiting the use of drinking water in swimming pools. Manohar instructed authorities to enforce the closure of swimming pools using potable water, with violators facing a fine of Rs 5,000 under section 109 of the BWSSB Act. However, this directive does not apply to pools hosting state or national-level swimming competitions.

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