In response to the severe water crisis gripping Bengaluru, Karnataka’s capital, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is exploring the option of supplying treated water to industries via separate pipelines. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted operations in the Peenya Industrial Area during the summer period, despite strict regulations. Reports suggest that BWSSB is considering laying down dedicated pipelines to provide treated water to the area, which hosts more than 15,000 manufacturing units.

To progress with the planning and implementation of the pipeline project, BWSSB chairman V Ram Prasath Manohar purportedly convened a meeting on Saturday. The attendees included representatives from several small-scale industries, along with key stakeholders such as the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), and the Peenya Industries Association.

The provision of treated water to the Peenya Industrial Area will be initiated as a pilot project. Subsequently, after assessing its effectiveness and feasibility, a similar system will be implemented to supply water to other industrial areas.

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This initiative is being viewed as a pioneering effort to encourage the use of treated water for the first time in the country. Its primary objective is not only to meet the water needs of industrial establishments but also to decrease reliance on water from the Cauvery river. Additionally, the BWSSB chairman emphasized the importance of industrial organizations in spreading awareness among industries about the advantages of adopting treated water.

In addition to laying separate pipelines for treated water supply, the BWSSB is also devising a strategy to implement a community rainwater harvesting system. This plan involves installing pipes connecting apartment complexes to nearby lakes. The objective is twofold: to boost groundwater levels in and around the city and to ensure the maintenance of water levels in Varthur and Bellandur lakes.

Simultaneously, the BWSSB is implementing stringent measures against individuals found misusing water and violating the prescribed guidelines for water usage in the city. According to reports, the water supply authority has imposed fines on 362 users throughout the city for water misuse, resulting in the collection of Rs 18 lakh in fines thus far.

Significantly, the BWSSB took a decisive step on March 7 by prohibiting the use of potable water for non-essential purposes. Chairman Manohar highlighted that a penalty of Rs 5,000 would be imposed for the misuse of drinking water for purposes other than essential needs.

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