Bengaluru water crisis: Use ‘purified environment-friendly water’ for construction work

Bengaluru Water Supply Board Chairperson Ram Manohar held a meeting with building owners and contractors on Tuesday amid a rapidly escalating water crisis. Builders have now been instructed to use ‘environment-friendly water’ for construction work. The development comes mere days after civic authorities decided to fill drying lakes with 1,300 million litres of treated water per day in order to replenish groundwater sources.

According to an NDTV report, Manohar held a meeting with groups and individuals constructing buildings above 20,000 sq ft in the city on Tuesday. They have been asked to use ‘purified environment-friendly water for construction work’.

Meanwhile the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board has banned the use of potable water for non-essential purposes — including car washing, gardening, construction, water fountains, and road construction and maintenance. Those found violating the prohibitory order will be fined ₹5,000.

BWSSB is also working to install filter borewells and construct water plants near restored lake beds to supply water after testing — expected to add about 20–30 MLD of water into the system.

The government has taken over private water tankers in a bid to tackle the water mafia while the BWSSB extended the registration deadlines for water tanker owners till March 15.

Last week the district administration had also issued an order fixing the price of tanker water amid persistent allegations that tanker owners are extorting customers.

For a distance of up to 5 km a a 6000-litre water tanker will cost ₹600, an 8000-litre water tanker will cost ₹700, and a 12,000-litre water tanker will cost ₹1000.

If the distance is between 5 and 10 km, a 6000-litre water tanker will cost ₹750, an 8000-litre water tanker will cost ₹850, and a 12,000-litre water tanker will cost ₹1200.

(With inputs from agencies)