Civic authorities in Bengaluru have decided to fill dry lakes with 1,300 million liters of treated water per day to replenish groundwater sources in the city, where nearly 50 per cent of borewells have gone dry.
With an aim to manage the water crisis in Bengaluru, the civic body Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will also filter borewells using an innovative technology near the lake beds restored for water supply after trial, BWSSB officials said. Will establish and construct water plant.
BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasad Manohar said the initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is expected to add about 20-30 MLD of water to the system.
The Irrigation Department is following a similar initiative by treating water from Kotte Lake to supply water to Devanahalli, where the Kempegowda International Airport is located.
As part of the plan, initially lakes in Bellandur, Varathur, Nayandahalli, Herohalli, Attur and Jakkur will be refilled, the official said.
Pointing out that Bengaluru requires 2,100 MLD of potable water, of which 1,450 MLD comes from the Cauvery river, officials wanted to assure that there is enough water in the reservoirs till July.
Officials said the city needs about eight thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from March to May, while the reservoirs have 34 TMC of water.
He said that the remaining 650 MLD water requirement of the city comes from borewell water. He said that there is a shortage of 250 MLD mainly due to lack of rain, falling underground water level and over exploitation of groundwater.
Meanwhile, BWSSB has extended the registration deadline for water tanker owners till March 15 with an aim to encourage more water suppliers. To date, 1,530 tankers have registered, officials said.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also in-charge of Bengaluru development, said the government has taken over private water tankers to tackle the water mafia.
“About 50 per cent of the borewells in the city have gone dry. We have decided to take control of thousands of private water tankers (by registering) to supply water from sources outside the city. We have informed the authorities as to factors like pricing. But the distance covered determines the cost. Unused milk tankers will be used to bring water,” Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has planned a protest in the city on Monday against the alleged mismanagement of the water crisis in Bengaluru.
Responding to this, Shivakumar said, ‘If they give any constructive suggestions, we are definitely ready to consider them.’
