Deccan Chronicle 15.12.2009

Cauvery water to be rationed

Dec. 14: Cauvery water may in future be rationed in the city and be supplied fordrinking through one pipeline while treatedsewage water is supplied through another for non-potable use, according to BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu.

The dual pipeline system has already been adopted at the Bengaluru International Airport and BEL, which use one million liters per day each of treated sewerage water from the tertiary level sewage treatement plant(STP) at Yelahanka.

Nearly 100 apartments which have STPs have adopted dual pipelines to utilise treated sewage for non-potable purposes, says T. Venkatraju, chief engineer, BWSSB.

The minister, who was speaking at a national conference on urban water management-challenges and options organised by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Center for Sustainable Development on Monday, said such measures had become neccessary because by 2040 the water requirement of the city would increase to 2550 MLD and BWSSB would be able to supply only 1500 MLD. It would have to make up the shortage of 1050 MLD of water through the dual pipeline system all over the city, he explained.

“Reusing treated water and rain water harvesting are the only solutions to the water crisis confronting the city. BWSSB will invest Rs 1000 crores to set up more STPs,” he said.

Currently around 80 per cent of the 870 MLD of water supplied to the city is used for non-potable purposes.

Despite the 14 STPs in the city with a capacity to treat 718 mld of sewage per day, only 300 to 350mld is treated due to an improper sewerage network. And although there are four tertiary level STPs, hardly 6 mld of treated sewage is utilised by the city.