Bangalore’s water resources

A common sight

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpjoshi/4616108862/

We see enough of this too

Is there a water problem in the city?

How much do we know at a local levelPopulation?Approximately how much water is supplied to the city? What are the sources of water supply? What % of water comes from these 2 major sources?Approximately how much water is lost?What’s the extent of the shortfall?How many water treatment plants does the city have? How much water is treated on a daily basis?How much sewage is generated on a daily basis? How many sewage treatment plants are there in the city?

19914.5 million

20015.76 million

20117.9 million

8 million by 2011

Source: Dept of Economics and Statistics, Govt of Karnataka; statistics for Bangalore Urban district

Is what we consume

21% met by groundwater (250 MLD)

79% met by surface water (900 MLD)

Losses = 43%400 million litres /day

5 functional water treatment plants 4 Cauvery, 1 TG Halli (Arkavathy)

1150 million litres per day

Water supply per capita CPHEEO (Central Public Health and Environmental

Engineering Organization) suggests that water supply for metro cities should be 150 lpcd (litres per capita per day)

Existing supply is 110 - 120 lpcd

Source: www.bwssb.org

Demand – supply gap

Demand by 2011 = 1576 MLDPresent supply = 900 MLDDeficit = 676 MLD

Even after the final stage of Cauvery water supply is implemented, Supply = 1500 MLD

Sewage

920 MLD generated

No. of working STPs (sewage treatment plants)12 secondary treatment plants

+ 4 tertiary treatment plants

720 MLD treated

Where does the treated and untreated sewage go?

To the Vrishabhavati and Ponniyar basins. Downstream of Bangalore, these would be freshwater sources

Water from the Vrishabhavati and Ponniyar basins are also used for agriculture, downstream of Bangalore

Where does the treated and untreated sewage go?

Other ramifications

and climbs a fair amount too

Our water travels a long distance

Energy

Three stages of pumping

Cost of getting us the water = Rs 18/kl

Domestic customers pay = Rs 6 - 36/kl

Has this been the case from ages?

A city of tanks and lakes

We were

A city of bus stands, bazaars, stadiums

Dharmambudi tankChallaghatta tankKoramangala tank Sampangi tankSiddikatte lakeKaranji tank Chennamma tankKempambudhi tankAkkithimmanahalli tankMiller tank

we are

Dharmambudi tank - Majestic Bus depot Challaghatta tank - KGA Golf course Koramangala Tank - National Games villageSampangi tank - Kanteerava stadiumSiddikatte lake - City market Karanji tank - Gandhi bazaar areaChennamma tank - a burial ground Kempambudhi - a sewerage collection tankAkkithimmanahalli tank - Hockey StadiumMiller Tank - Guru Nanak Bhavan, schools, and several buildings.

• The city is growing• Tanks are disappearing• Tanks that exist receive sewage that cannot be handled by sewage treatment plants• Municipal water supply is inadequate to meet the growing needs• Unsustainable extraction of groundwater• Groundwater tables have fallen

Today

North Bangalore worst affected – 300 m

Every year more than 2 m drop in water table

Other problems

Hydraulics network is over 50 years old

100 years old in some areas.

95% wastage through leaks

Impacts

Unequal distribution

Ill health

Periodic flooding in low-lying areas that have been built on earlier tank-beds

Water disputes

What can we do ?

Can we run away from this problem?Can we move to another place?

India – status and projections

1 / 6 of World’s Population

1 / 25 of world’s Freshwater

Resources

Source: TERI

Mismatch between regions of large population and available freshwater resources

Global Fresh Water Stress

By 20252 / 3 of the world’s population estimated to be underwater-stress conditions. 3 billion people may be affected by water scarcity.

Source: http://www.unep.org/dewa/assessments/ecosystems/water/vitalwater/21.htm#21b

What can we do ? Rainwater harvesting Water audit Reduce wastage Fix leaks Spread knowledge and awareness Work on interesting projects that give a better understanding –

observe and analyze

BWSSB’s plans Promote rainwater harvesting Recycle and reuse of wastewater for non potable uses Dual piping system for new layouts Restoration of lakes to improve ground water table