Rapid, unplanned urbanisation will lead to stressed water resources. Critically examine the above statement in the context of Bengaluru water crisis. Also suggest measures to improve the situation. (200 words)
Refer – The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Bengaluru water crisis
· A BBC report released recently, listed 11 world cities that were most likely to run out of drinking water, and put Bengaluru at number 2.
· Bengaluru originally had multiple sources of water supply in the form of over 200 lakes, abundant groundwater, and supplies from reservoirs and tanks.
· These sources are all but dead now due to the depletion of catchment areas in the wake of uncontrolled and unplanned infrastructure expansion.
· This makes Bengaluru critically dependent on the Cauvery water and the monsoon rains.
· Residents get water, less than half the ideal amount.
Cause of crisis
· More than half of Bengaluru’s drinking water is wasted due to antiquated plumbing.
· The proliferation of borewells, especially in the core city areas, has led to a massive depletion of groundwater.
· The government has reclaimed dozens of lakes for bus stands, stadiums, and housing complexes, and real estate firms have been the major beneficiaries of land allotment on lakeshores.
· Not a single lake in Bengaluru had suitable water for drinking or bathing.
· Garbage and sewage have poisoned lakes, and the concretisation of catchment areas has choked inlet channels.
· The groundwater quality has deteriorated with high presence of iron, fluoride, nitrate and conductivity with drastic decline in water table.
· Bengaluru is a groundwater quality hotspot due to exploitation of groundwater beyond rechargeable limits.
Suggestions
· Push aggressively and quickly for the protection of the catchment areas as well as the Cauvery to flow freely and unpolluted.
· Adequate water to the city will be provided by effectively using current supplies, tapping into rainwater sources, and recycling wastewater.
· Push for rainwater harvesting across all buildings old and new in Bengaluru.
· The city gets a decent amount of rainfall every year, which can be utilised to meet drinking water needs and recharge the groundwater table.
· Organising awareness campaigns in order to make citizens realise the great responsibility lies with them to use water judiciously and to save water.
· Measures should be taken to avoid rampant exploitation of groundwater.
· Treat waste-water to such levels that they can be used to fill lakes.
· Surplus treated waste-water can then fill the lakes of the neighbouring dry districts, providing water to farmers for cultivation as well as enhancing bio-diversity.
