Bengaluru: Groundwater levels in Bengaluru Urban district have improved by 0.5 to 1.2 metres over the past year, according to data jointly monitored by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Department of Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development. The rise has been attributed to sustained efforts such as rainwater harvesting, construction of recharge structures, expansion of irrigation, and reuse of treated wastewater.
Despite these gains, officials caution that the city remains in the “over-exploited” or “critical” category, largely due to its heavy dependence on borewells.
Wells spring back to life
BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar said residents across several neighbourhoods have reported improved water availability. “In some areas, open wells that had been dry for years have started yielding again,” he noted.
He credited the turnaround to a combination of rainwater harvesting (RWH) initiatives and citizen participation. “Rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory for new buildings, with over 2.5 lakh RWH structures implemented across the city. Additionally, BWSSB has proactively set up 1,500 recharge wells and inspired households to adopt similar practices. Over 3,000 recharge pits have also been built in schools, public spaces, and parks,” he said.
Wastewater reuse boosting recharge
The board is also leveraging its 28 sewage treatment plants (STPs) to support lake rejuvenation, which indirectly recharges aquifers. “Our STPs are channelling treated wastewater to lakes, increasing natural groundwater replenishment,” Manohar explained.
He highlighted the success of BWSSB’s ‘Save Water’ campaign, which entered the Guinness World Records, saying it has helped foster a conservation-oriented mindset among citizens.
Additionally, BWSSB is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to develop a groundwater forecasting model that will help identify aquifer-rich locations for future recharge wells and guide precautionary measures.
Valley projects aiding replenishment
Minor irrigation minister NS Boseraju pointed to large-scale projects such as the Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley and Hebbal-Nagawara (HN) Valley initiatives, which channel secondary-treated wastewater into city lakes and adjoining districts.
“These projects have created recharge pockets, offering partial relief in some stressed areas,” Boseraju said. “But the overall picture remains critical, given Bengaluru’s overwhelming reliance on borewells for its water supply.”
Still a long way to go
Experts note that while recharge initiatives have improved the situation marginally, Bengaluru’s groundwater remains under stress due to rapid urbanisation, declining lake ecosystems, and rising demand from both residential and commercial users.
Officials emphasise that long-term sustainability will depend on scaling up recharge efforts, strictly enforcing rainwater harvesting, and reducing reliance on borewells through expanded piped supply.
“Groundwater recovery is possible, but only if the momentum of these initiatives is sustained and further strengthened,” a senior official said.