Water levels in city sink to a new low

Water levels
in city sink to a new low
1,500 Borewells Planned Due To Water Scarcity
Aarthi R | TNN

Bangalore: Here is stark ground reality: there is an alarming dip in the water table. According to a recent survey conducted by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB), there has been a rapid decrease of the groundwater table in Bangalore in the last 20 years. The water table that was 80-100 feet deep then is now 800 feet deep.
Despite this grim situation, the BWSSB plans to drill 1,500 new borewells, particularly in the newly added areas of BBMP with a Rs 100 crore budget allocation. It has embarked on this project to mitigate the water crisis.
With Rs 33 crore already released, 350 borewells have been dug in the last three months. The BWSSB has floated tenders for another 1,000. But what is causing concern is that the water table is so low that in a few places water could be struck only at a depth of 1,000 feet. This includes places in East Bangalore, Mahadevapura, K R Puram, Byatarayanapura and Dasarahalli.
The depleting water table is not news but it’s the alarming depths it has sunk to that needs immediate attention, say experts.
But this is the only alternative for people till the additional 500 MLD of water through the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme stage IV phase-II is in.
“We have got 25 new borewells in the last three months. It has sure helped people with additional water. But water could be struck only at 800-900 feet,’’ Krishna Byregowda (Byatarayanapura), MLA, told The Times of India. He urged the government to implement the other modes of supply at the earliest.
“Having more borewells is not the answer. What we need is a policy to prevent exploitation of underground water and also some intensive land and water management techniques to enhance the infiltration of water,’’ said A N Yellappa Reddy, environmentalist.
Having exhausted much of the dynamic and static water levels underground, we have now hit the fossil water level which is the last level of water. “Beyond this, there could be no level to look to,’’ he said.