It is March 21, 2024, and the news channels are flashing the news, “the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has made it mandatory for bulk water users to install flow restrictors or aerators by March 31’.

It is not surprising to know that ‘the Silicon Valley of India’ started facing the water crisis in early March this year. The city’s water issues can be traced back to the 1970s. Is it because of the boom in the IT industry or climate change issues?

Let’s look deeper into this affair.

How it all started?

Bangalore, a bustling city, once had a beautiful relationship with water. The city was full of lakes, and people relied on wells for water. But things started to change in the 1970s. The city began to grow, and so did its thirst. To quench it, the garden city started drawing water from the Cauvery River.

But the river couldn’t keep up with the city’s demand. Especially with the IT boom, the city’s population exploded, and so did its water needs. The lakes that once dotted the city began disappearing, replaced by buildings and roads. The wells started to run dry.

The city’s sewage system couldn’t keep up either. Waste started to pollute the remaining water bodies. The outskirts of the city were hit the hardest. With no access to the river water, they relied on borewells. But with the groundwater levels dropping, even the borewells started to run dry.

In 1974 the BWSSB was established. Walking through, the Bangalore Sewerage regulations, 1974 came into force.

In the 1990s there was a significant decrease in water bodies. Hence Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) was launched. This further led to RWH mandatory based on the Bangalore Rainwater Harvesting Regulations, 2009.

Later in 2015, The ‘Million Wells for Bengaluru’ campaign was initiated to build one million shallow wells using traditional well-digging techniques.

These initiatives didn’t work the best to solve the city’s crisis.

What are the causes?

1. Rapid Urbanization: The first cause dates back to the 1970s when Bangalore began to grow rapidly. The city’s population exploded, but its water supply didn’t keep up. This rapid urbanization led to the encroachment of lakes and other water bodies, reducing the city’s natural water resources.
2. Over-reliance on the Cauvery River: To quench its ever-growing thirst, the city began relying heavily on the Cauvery River. However, the river couldn’t keep up with the city’s growing thirst. This over-reliance on a single water source puts the city at risk of water shortages.
3. Groundwater Depletion: With the Cauvery River unable to meet the city’s water demand, residents turned to groundwater. However, excessive extraction led to a significant drop in groundwater levels, drying up many borewells.
4. Climate Change: Climate change has led to unpredictable rainfall patterns, intensifying the water crisis. The city has been experiencing severe droughts, leading to a significant drop in water levels in the Cauvery River.
5. Poor Water Management: Poor water management practices have also contributed to the crisis. Waste disposal into water bodies has led to pollution, making the water unfit for consumption. In addition, a significant amount of water is lost due to leakages in the distribution system.
6. Lack of Rainwater Harvesting: Despite receiving ample rainfall, the IT capital of India has not been able to effectively harness this resource due to a lack of rainwater harvesting systems.

What are the steps taken in current times?

1. Reducing Water Consumption: The BWSSB is encouraging industries and commercial establishments to use treated water from tankers.
2. Alternative Water Sources: As a stopgap measure, the government is leasing private borewells and renting additional tankers to bridge the gap. They are also supplying water in huge tankers to Bengaluru from adjoining towns such as Ramanagara, Hoskote, Magadi, and Channapatna.
3. Borewell Rejuvenation: The government is reviving existing borewells to increase water availability. A substantial budget is allotted by civil bodies for drilling new borewells in priority zones.
4. Awareness Campaigns: The government is educating residents on water conservation practices. All private water tankers and borewells are instructed to register with the BWSSB to control water prices.
5. Cauvery Project, Phase 5: The BWSSB announced that they would start Phase 5 of the Cauvery project. Expected for completion by May 2024, this project aims to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people.
6. Apart from the above initiatives, four mobile applications: Jalamitra, Parisara Jalasnehi, Andar Jala, and Samrakshaka were launched by the BWSSB on March 14, 2024.

These applications were introduced to help residents cope with the water shortage, detect leaks, book treated water, and report misuse of water. The launch was part of the government’s efforts to manage the water crisis more efficiently and promote water conservation in the city.

Is Bengaluru alone facing a water crisis?

Bangaluru is not alone, many cities across India are struggling with similar problems due to rapid urbanization, climate change, and poor water management.

Industrial hubs like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, along with agricultural powerhouses Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, report water levels significantly lower than their 10-year averages (Source: Channel NewsAsia).

Cities like Chennai, Delhi, and Kanpur share Bengaluru’s story.

A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) warns that 30 Indian cities face a ‘grave risk’ by 2050 due to a sharp increase in population (Source: Down To Earth). Furthermore, the long-term, Indiscriminate extraction of groundwater is making water tables fall rapidly in most Indian cities.

What can You and I do?

I know pointing fingers is not going to help much in these crucial times. Here are some practical tips that will help to a great extent.

1. Conserve Water: Start with simple steps like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, fixing leaky taps and toilets, and using a bucket for bathing instead of a shower.
2. Rainwater Harvesting: If possible, set up a rainwater harvesting system at home. It’s a great way to capture and store rainwater for later use.
3. Reuse Water: Reuse water wherever possible. For instance, the water used for washing vegetables or rice can be used to water plants.
4. Educate and Spread Awareness: Talk to your friends, family, and community about the importance of water conservation. Encourage them to adopt water-saving habits.
5. Support Sustainable Practices: Support businesses and products that are environmentally friendly and conserve water. For example, using clothes made from organic cotton, household items made from recycled materials, etc.
6. Plant More Trees: Trees help in maintaining the water cycle. Plant more trees and support afforestation.

Industrial Pollution Affecting Rivers in India

Ajnar River, Madhya Pradesh: Industrial waste from factories is allegedly being dumped into fields, polluting the Ajnar River. Pollution has contaminated the river and other water resources, like tube wells, impacting 50 villages. The locals are distressed as their animals and crops are destroyed by the pollutants.

In July 2021, social activists and tribal communities protested against illegal dumping. After which some people were arrested but the chemical dumping continued.