Bengaluru Water Crisis: BWSSB Mandates Treated Water For Building Construction Exceeding 20,000 Square Feet

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Chairman V Ram. Prasat Manohar has issued a directive mandating the use of treated water for building construction due to the water scarcity in the city.

During a meeting with building owners and contractors on Tuesday, Dr. Manohar elaborated on the water challenges faced by Bengaluru. He emphasized that building owners and contractors engaged in constructing structures exceeding 20,000 square feet must utilize treated water for all construction activities in the city. Dr. Manohar advocated for the adoption of environmentally friendly practices, citing the use of purified water in building construction processes in Western countries as an example worth emulating. All building owners present at the meeting agreed to comply with this directive.

Additionally, Dr. Manohar requested that well-maintained borewells within the building area be made accessible for water supply by the board, a suggestion to which the owners responded positively.

In another development, it was decided to reduce the supply of Cauvery water by 20% to bulk users following discussions with representatives of water-intensive organizations. Institutions such as Railways, HAL, Air Force, Defence, CRPF, Biocon, Nimhans, and Victoria Hospital, among others, which utilize significant amounts of water, are urged to promote awareness on water conservation within their premises. Dr. Manohar emphasized the water scarcity challenge faced by the city in catering to its 1.40 crore population, underscoring the importance of such measures.

With approximately three lakh bulk users in the city receiving 95 to 100 percent of their water supply from the water board, a 20% reduction will be implemented. The withheld water will be redirected to slums and densely populated areas. Dr. Manohar also informed that the Cauvery-5th phase project will commence water supply by May 15, urging cooperation until then and appealing for the use of treated water for non-potable purposes.