KSPCB Enforces Treated Water Use in Construction to Conserve Groundwater

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has mandated the use of treated water for construction activities to curb the rampant exploitation of groundwater in Bengaluru. Developers and house owners who fail to comply will be denied occupancy certificates (OCs) from the civic body. The KSPCB will not issue the necessary ‘no-objection certificate’ required to obtain an OC from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or other urban local bodies if treated water is not used.

During an interactive meeting on Wednesday with resident welfare associations (RWAs) and construction industry leaders in east Bengaluru, Syed Khaja Mohiddin, zonal officer (east) of KSPCB, emphasized that at least 15% of treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) must be used in construction. This measure aims to protect regular water sources and reduce the depletion of the groundwater table across Bengaluru.

Construction industry representatives raised concerns about the quality of treated water and its impact on cement structures. However, scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) assured that using treated water is safe. LN Rao, associate professor at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc, confirmed that comprehensive studies have shown the suitability of STP-treated water for construction purposes. Rao highlighted that while STP water is safe for mixing cement and curing structures, it should not be used for personal purposes like cleaning or bathing.

Prof. HN Chanakya, chief scientist at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc, suggested separating black water and grey water in apartments to reduce the energy required for STP water segregation. Despite confusion over an NGT order restricting the transport and use of treated water, KSPCB approved the use of 50% of treated water generated by STPs for construction, bringing together stakeholders from BWSSB, Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF), and Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA).

Earlier, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had issued an order allowing residential communities to sell 50% of their STP-treated water commercially, excluding food and medicine industries, to alleviate the city’s potable water shortage. Vikram Rai, BAF president, mentioned a pilot survey involving 15 apartments in Bellandur, supplying STP water to construction sites within a five-km radius, with plans to expand citywide.