Water crisis looms over city

Water crisis looms over city
Vijay Times

The City may have a water crisis just round the corner. With deficient rains this monsoon, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has warned of shortage of drinking water supply this summer and is issuing guidelines on conserving water to avert the crisis.

Water level recordings at the 70-year-old Tippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoir, the primary source of drinking water to the City, is a cause of concern. The present recording at TG Halli is 34.10 ft. It was 61 ft last October.

In order to supply drinking water without problems this summer, the board is making efforts to create awareness among the public. Speaking to Vijay Times, BWSSB chairman N C Muniyappa said, "We have reduced the pumping of water and brought it down to 70 mld from 100 mld. We will also try and divert Cauvery water to the north-west side." Pumping of water from TG Halli has been reduced by 30 per cent. There would also be reduction in the supply hours of drinking water by atleast 30 minutes to one hour during the summer season, he said.

Muniyappa added that water conservation measures will be taken up seriously and a plan for the summer season is being chalked out to avoid shortage of water supply. "We have received very little rains this monsoon. Even October, which is normally the wettest month, did not see enough rains. All we can say now is, save and store water for summer. Of the 34 ft water in T G Halli reservoir, the dead storage itself is about 14 ft," he informed.

He said the board is appealing to the public not to waste water. "We need a joint effort from the board and the public. Almost 80 per cent of the water is discharged as sewage. If this could be treated, as much as 60 percent can be reused for gardening and other purposes," said Muniyappa.

He added that over 30 per cent of water is used for flushing. In order to save this water, the board has appealed to the people to go in for a partial flushing commode. "We are also asking people to use retrofit taps with small aerator devices to reduce the flow rate. This will really help us in avoiding a water crisis during summer," he adds.

The Hesaraghatta lake is also dry and if there are no efforts in conserving water, very soon the TG Halli reservoir will follow suit, he warned.