The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for executing a large-scale water conservation awareness campaign. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also oversees Bengaluru development, accepted the certificate on behalf of BWSSB during a ceremony in the city.
Held between March 21 and 28, the campaign saw a record-breaking 5,33,642 people pledge their commitment to water conservation. The recognition was formally presented by Guinness adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar.
Speaking at the event, Shivakumar applauded the board’s efforts and stressed the need to conserve water for future generations. He pointed out an ongoing issue: around 35% of Bengaluru residents don’t pay their water bills, yet the BWSSB continues to provide services without interruption.
Highlighting inefficiencies, he remarked that unlike New Delhi—which uses separate pipelines for potable and non-potable water—Bengaluru relies entirely on treated drinking water, even for tasks like washing vehicles and watering plants.
To address the growing water demand of the city’s two crore residents, Shivakumar said a comprehensive supply plan is underway. He added that BWSSB is also working to reduce its ₹400–500 crore annual loss by introducing new schemes and revising water tariffs, similar to the transport department’s dynamic fare model.
The event served both as a celebration of BWSSB’s global recognition and a stark reminder of the challenges the city faces in ensuring sustainable water management.
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