Bengaluru residents struggle with water tanker as costs and temperature soar

The cost of a water tanker depends on the quality of the water and the distance it has to travel. (Image credit: AFP)

With the onset of summer, Bengaluru residents appear to be dealing with a dual problem: soaring temperatures and water tanker costs. The second problem is likely to hurt more as amid rising water tanker costs and the citizens' growing dependence on the tankers, authorities such as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has no power to regulate their pricing.

Residents whose water need depend entirely on tankers told Deccan Herald they have no choice but to pay the increased rates.

"This summer looks bleak as well. We've been relying on tankers for several years now," K Subramanian, a member of the citizen welfare group Hennur Taskers, told the publication. "During summer, tankers meet up to 90 percent of our water demand. We requested our MLA for a borewell, which currently supplies around 40 percent of our needs throughout the year. At present, we are paying about 10 paise per litre for tanker water."

The cost of a water tanker depends on the quality of the water and the distance it has to travel.

Residents collect free water from a municipal tanker amidst the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru last year. (Image credit: AFP)

A resident of Horamavu Agara told the Deccan Herald that good-quality water in the area costs around Rs 1,000 per tanker. "We have been relying on water tankers for the past two years. For a family of three, we need four to five tankers a month," he said.

Another resident from Whitefield shared that tanker prices in his area range from Rs 1,400 to Rs 2,200.

While there is no authority that can regulate the prices, BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar told the publication that the current rates "seem reasonable".

"In case of discrepancies in rates, we notify the BBMP, which takes action. The current rates seem reasonable, but if they become unreasonably high, we will use legal measures to bring them in line," Deccan Herald quoted him as saying. "We are also considering denying permission for drilling borewells and investigating water sources. This will serve as an indirect measure to regulate prices, as we lack direct regulatory powers."

The city recorded its hottest day of the year in March with a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius on Friday. The city is expected to experience rising temperatures due to dry air and the absence of cloud cover.

"So far, the maximum temperature recorded was about 34°C, but now it has crossed 35°C, and Friday is the hottest day of the year. The temperature will be above 35°C for the next three to four days,” CS Patil, scientist and director, IMD Bengaluru told The Hindu.

He added that the weather forecast indicates that the conditions are expected to continue as cloud formation appears unlikely in the coming days.