Bengaluru is facing the worst water shortage in the past four decades. Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, said that this is the worst water crisis in the state in the past four decades.
The water shortage is majorly due to drought in the Cauvery basin and depletion of underground water.
Water Requirements in the City
The water crisis has caused a situation of panic in every part of the city.The city of Bengaluru needs approximately 700 MLD from groundwater resources and 1,450 million liters per day (MLD) of water from the Cauvery. The city has 6,900 borewells and the number of not functioning borewells stands at 13,900. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has asked that for non drinking purposes , people should use treated water. In the past few days there have been several measures taken in order to manage and control the water ‘mafia’. The private borewells are being used in Bengaluru and the cost of the tankers is being calculated by how far or near the place is or how much distance they have to cover.
Thus, Bengaluru will have to not only face the scorching heat during summers but the city will have to face and manage the water crisis.
Schools and Hotels in Bengaluru
With the huge water shortage the schools in the city are also bearing the brunt. The schools in the city are compelled to remain closed for the time being. The government schools are using mineral water cans and tankers since the borewells have become dry.
The hotel industry has been severely affected due to the scarcity of water. However, the restaurant owners say that the customers understand the situation and are themselves making the prudent use of water. The hotels and other eating outlets are not closed, but they are facing issues in their businesses due to this. They are relying on STPs and rainwater harvesting for now.
Residential Area of Bengaluru
The residential areas require huge amounts o of water. The apartments and the gated communities need tons of water regularly. Some of the flat owners complain that the tenants are leaving the flats because there is no water for drinking or for other household purposes. At present, people are relying on the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, tankers, borewells, and Cauvery water, but still, insufficiency and irregularities in the water supply exist.
People are hopeful that the crisis will be solved within next two or threee months as the monsoon would arrive, which would replenish the water resources.
The Solution to the Water Crisis
The main issue is not scarcity of water but lack of proper management of water resources. Treated water is one way to solve the crisis, along with efficient management of water resources. Besides this, if the city plans to adopt rainwater harvesting in almost 50 percent of the buildings, then it will help in getting almost 200 MLD of water. The efficient and effective use of treated water will reduce the dependency on fresh water.
Bengaluru once had 1,000 lakes. It is high time to revive these lakes.The revival of these lakes should be done with proper scientific guidance.
At present, everyone is hoping for a good monsoon for the relief. However incase it doesn’t rain much , as mentioned in an article in the Deccan Herald, the residents of Benglauru are suggesting installing the desalination plant in Mangaluru to fulfill the water needs of Bengaluru.
