Bengaluru water crisis: Karnataka CM directs filling of 14 major lakes with treated water

Out of 14,000 government bore wells, 6,900 are dry. This has led to the water crisis, according to CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on March 18 instructed officials to increase the groundwater level by filling major lakes in Bengaluru with treated water.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "Instructions have been issued to replenish Bengaluru's lakes like KC Valley. It has been directed to refill 14 major lakes that have dried up. This action will help recharge bore wells with groundwater."

As part of the KC Valley project, sewage generated in Bengaluru undergoes secondary treatment to replenish lakes in the parched districts of Kolar and Chikkaballapur. Under the KC Valley project's first phase, 143 lakes in Kolar have been refilled for Rs 1,342 crore. The second phase will cover 276 lakes, with an estimated cost of Rs 455 crore.

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The CM assured sufficient water availability till the end of June. "We have ample drinking water storage in the Cauvery and Kabini reservoirs. There is 11.02 TMC water storage in Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) and 9.02 TMC in Kabini," he said.

He also addressed the issue of drying up public borewells, stating, "Out of 14,000 government bore wells, 6,900 are dry. This has led to the water crisis. Out of 110 villages newly added to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in 2008, 55 are facing a water crisis. After the completion of Cauvery Phase-V work by the end of June, an additional 775 MLD of water will be available to these areas."

To tackle the water shortage, the CM said drilling new bore wells at 313 locations and reviving 1,200 inactive ones is being planned.

He said 2,600 Million Litres a Day (MLD) of water is required for drinking and industrial purposes in Bengaluru city. "Out of this, 1450 MLD of water is sourced from the Cauvery River, while 650 MLD of water is available from borewells. There is a shortage of 500 MLD of water".

He also instructed the utilisation of private tankers, including the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), in slums and borewell-dependent areas. "There are 1,700 registered water tankers. These tankers are being provided with water from private borewells, including those located at malls," he said.

The CM emphasised the need to enhance control rooms and swiftly address water supply complaints.

He stressed the importance of not using drinking water in parks and advised the use of treated water instead. Measures to prevent water wastage were underscored, including rainwater harvesting and reuse.

The CM urged the public not to squander drinking water and cautioned against its use in gardens. "We've formed 143 task forces to prevent water misuse".

The CM directed an increase in task force numbers and urged the prompt resolution of complaints filed through helpline number 1916. "We've allocated adequate funds to provide drinking water. Officials should convene daily meetings and devise an action plan weekly. We've also decided to form an expert committee aimed at averting future water shortages," he added.

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