BENGALURU: To address potential water shortages in the city during the summer months, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), undertook a comprehensive study, making it the first city-specific scientific study in India. The study aims to resolve water scarcity issues. It has identified 80 wards and 110 villages that heavily rely on groundwater resources, placing them at considerable risk of water shortages. The situation appears critical, with projections indicating severe depletion of groundwater reserves across various regions. The central parts of Bengaluru are expected to witness a five-metre decline in water levels, while former City Municipal Council (CMC) regions could see a decline ranging from 10 to 15 metres. The situation appears most severe for the 110 villages situated on the city’s outskirts, where groundwater levels are anticipated to go down by 20 to 25 metres.
Groundwater plays a crucial role in the city’s water supply, as it draws approximately 800 million litres daily from borewells. Areas like South-East Bengaluru and Whitefield, along with other outer zones, depend heavily on groundwater resources, making them especially vulnerable to water scarcity. The initiative is guided by the deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, including the formation of a special task force consisting of IISc scientists and officials from state and central groundwater development departments. They spent the past six months analysing Bengaluru’s water supply and groundwater data to develop a sustainable action plan.
Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairperson of BWSSB, underscored the importance of collective action to tackle this looming water crisis. He urged residents, particularly those in high-risk wards, to reduce their dependence on groundwater and transition to Cauvery water connections. With the completion of the Cauvery Phase 5 Project, water availability in Bengaluru has increased, providing a sustainable alternative to meet the city’s growing demands. In the summer of 2024, Bengaluru faced one of its most severe water crises in recent history, where many struggled to get water, highlighting the city’s vulnerability to water scarcity and the need for comprehensive strategies to ensure water security.
