Bengaluru Water Crisis: RO Unit Shutdowns Leave Locals Struggling

The shortage of Reverse Osmosis (RO) units or water ATMs has plunged many households, small eateries, and cafes into hardship, forcing them to rely on costly alternatives for drinking water. With the depletion of borewell water due to inadequate rainfall, numerous RO plants in Bengaluru have ceased operations entirely, exacerbating the situation. The price of 20 liters of drinking water has soared in affected areas like Yeshwantpur, RR Nagar, and Kengeri, where borewell levels have dwindled drastically. In Yeshwantpur alone, a dozen RO units have shut down in the past month.

Street vendors and small businesses, dependent on affordable drinking water, are now grappling with the crisis. Earlier, they could obtain 20 liters of water for a mere Rs 5 weekly from RO units. However, with the closure of these units, accessibility to drinking water has become a pressing issue, as lamented by a local vendor in Yeshwantpur.

Another proprietor of a chat shop in the same area revealed the challenges faced due to the shutdown of RO units. Managing his business necessitates a daily requirement of at least five cans of water, making the purchase of bottled water financially untenable. Reliant on RO units for water supply, he now finds himself compelled to make multiple trips daily to access water from functioning units.

Efforts are underway to address the crisis across the broader Bengaluru metropolitan region, with a focus on reviving borewells. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath emphasized the urgent need for borewell repairs to mitigate the situation.