Once celebrated as the ‘Garden City,’ Bengaluru is grappling with severe water scarcity, a challenge that intensified last year and threatens to recur in the coming months. Experts warn that without a comprehensive groundwater and demand management plan, the city will continue to face annual water crises.
Hydrologists recommend the establishment of a dedicated groundwater cell within the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), staffed with experts to monitor and manage the city’s groundwater resources. This cell would track water table levels, assess aquifer health, and identify areas of over-extraction. Using this data, it could propose sustainable water practices, prevent overuse, and implement recharge strategies to restore depleting aquifers.
An expert formerly with the state Irrigation department explained that areas heavily reliant on groundwater are particularly vulnerable, as they lack alternative water sources. Moreover, regions with dried-up lakes face even greater risks, as these areas have no backup water supply.
Water conservation expert Vishwanath Srikantaiah emphasized that the root cause of the crisis is excessive groundwater extraction without adequate recharge. He warned that drawing more water than nature can replenish is leading to a steady depletion of resources. “The absence of a proper groundwater management plan has exacerbated the situation,” Srikantaiah said.
To address these issues, experts stress the need for a groundwater cell, effective mapping of underground reserves, and enhanced waste water treatment. They also advocate for the adoption of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM), which integrates surface water, groundwater, rainwater harvesting, desalinated water, recycled water, and stormwater to reduce dependency on a single source and mitigate shortages.
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