Water crisis looms large

Water crisis looms large
Supply in Bangalore once in 3 days
The Times of INdia

Bangalore: It’s time to conserve water. Taps are drying up and the BWSSB has begun rationing of water with nearly 40 per cent of the areas getting once in three days supplies. The BWSSB has been pushed into this drastic measure of cutting down the frequency and duration of Cauvery water supply.
The situation is grim in east and north parts of Bangalore where interior areas get water supply once a week and are heavily dependent on private water tankers.
The problem might turn worse in the coming days if it does not rain at the catchment of the TG Halli reservoir: the Arkavathy. The 30 MLD that is being pumped from TG Halli reservoir right now will also be stopped putting more areas in a parched situation. As of now, not all areas will be brought under once-in-threedays water supply scheme. Currently, the BWSSB is giving alternate-day water to nearly 60 per cent of the areas.
Normally, the per capita consumption of water is 100 litres per day and in summer it goes up to 150 to 170 litres. It goes up as people stock up water. As many borewells have dried up in the city, people are now banking on Cauvery water. The dry areas are heavily dependent on tanker water which is costing them dear. The BWSSB, which has mapped critical areas, has evolved a contingency plan. “The city has power cuts and altitude problems. And our water distribution is heavily dependent on power unlike most cities where it is based hugely on gravity alone. We are providing water on alternate days to consumers in about 270 sq kms, against the total expanse of 300 sq kms. The supply in 40% of areas is hit and they get water once in three days,’’ BWSSB officials explained.
While the frequency of supply has decreased, what is worrying citizens is the reduced duration of the supply. “Even the duration has been affected. The earlier supply of 4-8 hours a day has decreased
to two hours,’’ said Ramya K, a resident of Manorayanpalya.
For instance, an apartment in Sultanpalya with seven houses consumes 11,000 litres of water daily which is supplies through BWSSB. This is supplemented by 13,000 litres supplies by private water tankers.