The New Indian Express 20.12.2010
Brace up for less water in taps next summer
BANGALORE: If water shortage was bad last summer, then it is going to be even worse next year.The city's daily water supply to each household is expected to be 150 litres less than last year.
"Water will definitely be scarcer this summer," said P B Ramamurthy, chairman of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
The main reasons behind the impending shortage are reduced supply and increase in the number of water connections.
Water level in Thippagondana Halli (TG Halli) reservoir currently is twothirds of what it was last year. The BWSSB this year is pumping 20 million litres daily (MLD) from it as against 60 MLD last year. Also, 62,300 new water connections were given in the past one year.
In December 2009, 614.4 MLD was reaching 5.6 lakh connections in the city through BWSSB. On an average, 1,100 litres of water was available for each household.
This year, there is 588.8 MLD water available and 6.23 lakh water connections. It means, this year, there is 945 litres available for each household on an average and around 150 litres less than last year.
The BWSSB chairman attributed the impending decrease in water supply to less water inflow to TG Halli reservoir.
He said to meet the water demand, the BWSSB would have to rely heavily on more than 2,000 borewells in the city. He said the utility would ensure that the available water was distributed equitably.
Ramamurthy said work on Phase II of Stage IV of Cauvery drinking water project was progressing at a fast pace.
He said 65 per cent work was done. He said the city would get sufficient water supply once the project was commissioned next year.
In Bangalore, the summer was dotted with one or the other residents' welfare association staging demonstration to protest against water shortage.
Water shortage was the prime issue during the elections to the city council this year.
A two-day session was convened for the new councillors to find a solution to the problem.
Despite all that the summer of 2011 is going to be drier, particularly for those who reside in high-altitude areas. Water does not reach these areas until sumps in low-lying areas get filled.
