Water Crisis in Bangalore

Introduction

 Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, is a thriving metropolis that is sometimes referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India." But Bangalore also faces big concerns, like an upcoming water crisis, in addition to its quick urbanization and economic growth. Groundwater and the Cauvery River provide the majority of Bengaluru's water supply. Recycled water from sewage treatment plants is utilized for most non-drinking purposes. Since there hasn't been any rain in a long time, the main sources are almost depleted. Bengaluru has been growing rapidly in the last twenty years in terms of economy, population, and size. This growth happened quickly and without much planning. This rapid expansion has huge implications for how water is managed in the city. While there have been some efforts to deal with this growth, like forming organizations and passing laws for rainwater harvesting, the city's water infrastructure hasn't kept up. The institutions in charge of managing water are struggling to meet the increasing demand caused by Bengaluru's fast growth and the rising number of people living there. Additionally, many poor migrant workers now call Bengaluru home, adding to the challenge of providing water and sanitation to everyone, not just the wealthy.

 People have developed coping mechanisms in response to these difficulties, and urban markets for sanitation, waste management, and water supply have filled the gap created by the shortcomings of traditional institutions. There have been significant changes in the place of lakes in urban environments. Bengaluru's surface waters have become drier or more contaminated, and the city is still having to travel further to find its water supply. The economy and coping mechanisms have been mostly dependent on groundwater. Are these economic systems always environmentally sustainable, even though they offer worthwhile services? However, a few private organizations and residents of Bengaluru have shown that they can practice sustainable living and self-regulation. This is encouraging and could be a good thing in the complicated problem of managing urban waters in a developing city.

 

Historical Context

 Before 1896, Bangalore city used unfiltered water from various tanks and wells for its water supply. However, as the city grew, this wasn't enough, so the Arkavathi river was tapped in 1884 and filtered water supply began in 1896. With the city expanding rapidly, the government looked for more water sources, eventually settling on the Cauvery River in 1974. Currently, Arkavathi and Cauvery rivers are the main water sources for Bangalore. To bring Arkavathi water to the city, a reservoir was built at Hessarghatta, and a system of pipes and filters was set up to treat and deliver the water to residents, starting in August 1896.

 Thippagondanahalli (TG halli)

  As Bangalore continued to grow, there wasn't enough water to meet the demand. So, in 1933, a new reservoir called Chamaraja Sagar was built near Thippagondanahalli (TG halli), about 26 km west of Bangalore, on the Arkavathi river. A water treatment plant was set up at TG halli to treat the water from the dam. Initially, this scheme added 28 million liters per day (Mld) to the city's water supply, later increased to 149 Mld by improving infrastructure like the dam's capacity and pumping facilities. The water is pumped in two stages, with pumping stations at TG Halli and Tavarekere. The water is then transmitted through pipes to the city. However, due to monsoon failures and limitations in the pumping system, only about 117 Mld is usually available, mainly serving areas west of Chord Road, Beggars Colony, Kethamaranahalli (KMH), and Combined Jewel Filters (CJF) after the Cauvery stage III project. The reservoir hasn't filled since 1988 due to continued monsoon failures, so Cauvery water is also being used to supply the Arkavathi zone reservoirs.

 Cauvery Water Supply Scheme

 In the late 1960s, the Arkavathi scheme could only provide about 185 million liters per day (mld) of water, which wasn't enough for the growing population of around 1.6 million people in Bangalore. So, the government needed to find new water sources. They turned to the Cauvery River, located about 86 km south of the city, as it flows year-round. Starting in 1974, the Cauvery source has been developed in stages. The first stage, CWSS Stage-I, was completed in 1974, adding 135 mld of water. This was followed by CWSS Stage-II in 1982, adding another 135 mld. CWSS Stage-III, completed in 1994-95, increased supply by 270 mld. CWSS Stage-IV Phase I, finished in 2002, added 270 mld. Then, CWSS Stage-IV Phase II, completed in 2012, further increased supply by 500 mld.

 

What are the Issues?

 In Bengaluru, the official body responsible for water supply and sanitation is the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The city gets its water from the Cauvery River, but there's been a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over this water. In September 2016, riots broke out in Bengaluru over this issue, leading to a shutdown of the city for several days. Pumping water from the Cauvery River into the city is expensive, costing around Rs 28 per kiloliter because the river is about 100 km away and 300m below the city. Official records show that Bengaluru has around 7,40,000 residential connections, 42,100 commercial connections, and 2641 industrial connections, all metered. The charges for water vary based on usage, with residential tariffs being heavily subsidized compared to the actual cost of bringing in the water.

 Bengaluru has grown rapidly in terms of population, economy, and size over the past twenty years, but the BWSSB hasn't kept up with this growth. As a result, many areas on the outskirts of the city rely on groundwater from private wells, borewells, or water tankers because they lack proper piped water supply.

•  Lack of widespread water utility services in the city.

 The lack of widespread water utility services in Bengaluru remains a significant issue, particularly in the outer zones of the city. Despite efforts by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), there are still areas where water pipes have not been laid, leaving residents without reliable access to piped water.

Among the worst-affected areas are Bellandur, Singasandra, Ramamurthy Nagar, Byatarayanapura, Jakkur, and Devarabisanahalli. These neighborhoods have experienced rapid urbanization and population growth, but infrastructure development, including water supply networks, has not kept pace with the demand.

The reliance on tanker water supply in these areas exacerbates the problem. Residents often have to depend on water tankers for their daily water needs, which can be unreliable, expensive, and subject to erratic scheduling. This dependence on tanker water supply not only adds to the financial burden on households but also poses challenges in ensuring consistent and safe access to water, particularly during periods of high demand or water scarcity.

Furthermore, the lack of piped water supply infrastructure can have broader implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development. Without access to safe and reliable water sources, residents may resort to using unsafe water from alternative sources, risking waterborne diseases and compromising their overall well-being.   

• The non-implementation of water schemes rolled out by the government

 The non-implementation of water schemes rolled out by the government continues to be a persistent challenge in Bengaluru. Despite each new government stating its commitment to addressing the city's water issues at the start of its term, many proposed drinking water and sanitation schemes fail to materialize.

This failure to execute water-related initiatives stems from a variety of factors, including bureaucratic hurdles, budgetary constraints, lack of political will, and ineffective project management. Government agencies responsible for implementing these schemes often face challenges in securing necessary approvals, acquiring land for infrastructure development, and managing project timelines and budgets effectively.

Furthermore, political priorities and competing interests may divert attention and resources away from water-related projects, leading to delays or abandonment of crucial initiatives. Additionally, frequent changes in government leadership and administrative personnel can disrupt continuity in policy implementation and project execution.

•  High dependency on rainwater

The high dependency on rainwater exacerbates the water supply challenges in Bengaluru. The city relies heavily on rain-fed reservoirs such as Krishnaraj Sagar (KRS) and Kabini, along with other dams and reservoirs in Karnataka, for its water needs. However, the current situation is concerning as these reservoirs have only about 20% of their total capacity available as live storage.

With such limited water reserves, the state is left with just enough water to meet drinking needs for a single season. This precarious situation underscores the vulnerability of Bengaluru's water supply system to fluctuations in rainfall patterns and the effects of climate change.

The reliance on rainwater highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies and diversification of water sources in Bengaluru. This includes investing in water conservation measures, such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and efficient water use practices. Additionally, there is a pressing need for infrastructure upgrades and investments in alternative water sources, such as recycled water and desalination, to reduce dependency on rain-fed reservoirs and ensure a reliable water supply for the city's growing population.   

•  The overexploitation of groundwater

4.     The overexploitation of groundwater has become a significant concern in Bengaluru due to the encroachment on natural water bodies and limited alternative water sources. As a result, groundwater has become the primary source of water for many parts of the city.

The growing population relies heavily on groundwater for various purposes, including drinking, washing, and landscape management. However, this reliance often leads to unsustainable extraction practices, where more water is withdrawn than can be naturally replenished.

Furthermore, there is a lack of efficient water management practices, resulting in the underutilization and wastage of available groundwater resources. Much of the water extracted is not adequately reused or recycled, leading to further strain on the already stressed groundwater reserves.

Additionally, improper disposal of wastewater and untreated sewage contributes to groundwater pollution, further exacerbating the problem. This overexploitation of groundwater not only depletes the resource but also poses long-term environmental and public health risks.                  

 

What can be the Solution?

To conserve water, it's important for both households and industries to adopt simple practices like fixing leaks, using water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads, and reusing greywater for activities like gardening. Rainwater harvesting is another effective method where rainwater is collected for later use, reducing the need for piped water. Similarly, reusing greywater from sinks and showers can further minimize water consumption. Another crucial step is implementing programs to detect and repair leaks, as many leaks often go unnoticed, resulting in significant water wastage. By addressing these aspects through practical measures, we can work towards conserving water resources and reducing our dependence on piped water supplies.

 

  References       

·       Bengaluru Water Context | Urban Waters, Bengaluru. (n.d.). https://bengaluru.urbanwaters.in/bengalurus-water/

·       Board, B. W. S. A. S. (n.d.). About BWSSB    - Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. https://bwssb.karnataka.gov.in/info-1/About+BWSSB/en#:~:text=To%20supply%20filtered%20water%20to,source%20to%20Tarabanahalli%20and%20Soladevanahalli.

·       T. (2023, July 7). 8 Reasons for Bangalore's Water Scarcity and What can be done about it | Tankerwala. Tankerwala. https://tankerwala.in/8-reasons-for-bangalores-water-scarcity-and-what-can-be-done-about-it/

·       Improving water availability and sustainability by reviving traditional water systems in Bengaluru (India). (n.d.). https://whc.unesco.org/en/canopy/bengaluru/

·       Water, N. (2024, March 9). Bangalore’s Water Crisis and it’s Solutions. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bangalores-water-crisis-its-solutions-netsol-water-dcouc#:~:text=Solutions%20to%20Banglore%20Water%20Crisis&text=Promote%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20greywater,reduce%20reliance%20on%20piped%20water.

 

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