Bengaluru Intensifies Efforts to Promote Treated Water Amid Scarcity Concerns
In response to an unusually hot summer and forecasts of a below-normal monsoon in Karnataka, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has renewed its initiative to encourage the use of treated water. This move aims to alleviate pressure on the city's dwindling freshwater resources by tapping into surplus treated water from apartment complexes and municipal plants.
Collaboration with Apartment Federation to Drive Reuse
In April 2024, BWSSB entered into a partnership with the Bangalore Apartments' Federation (BAF) to facilitate the reuse and sale of treated water. Initially, progress stalled due to a perceived lack of demand, but the urgency of the current water situation has reignited efforts. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar announced plans for a meeting next week with apartment associations and data centres to develop a concrete action plan. "We will hold a meeting next week with apartment associations and data centres to chart a course of action on using treated water, so that their needs can be met without putting more pressure on freshwater sources. Apartments are ready for this, and we will soon take this forward," Manohar stated.
Challenges in Infrastructure and Supply Chain
Despite regulatory provisions allowing apartment complexes to sell surplus treated water at Rs 8 per kilolitre, with BWSSB purchasing it at Rs 10 and retaining Rs 2 as a service charge, significant hurdles remain. A functional supply network and dedicated fleet of tankers are absent, preventing the efficient transport of treated water from apartment Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to potential users like industries, parks, and construction sites. Consequently, surplus treated water continues to go to waste since the mandatory STP rule was implemented.
Substantial Supply Meets Growing Demand
According to BAF estimates, decentralised STPs in Bengaluru's apartment complexes produce approximately 300 million litres per day (MLD) of treated used water, supplemented by an additional 400 MLD from BWSSB STPs. The citywide demand for treated water is substantial, including:
- 150 MLD for flushing and landscaping
- 100 MLD for industrial operations
- 300 MLD for the construction industry
- 100 MLD for cooling systems in data centres and tech parks
This demand can potentially be met by the combined output from apartment and BWSSB STPs, highlighting a viable solution to water scarcity.
Calls for Government Leadership and Clear Guidelines
BAF General Secretary K Arun Kumar emphasised that revenue is secondary to water reuse. "Revenue is secondary; the focus is on water reuse. Nearly 50% of supplied water (to apartment complexes) is treated, and we are exploring its uses in parks and beyond. However, we need a clear, govt-approved framework as not a litre has been lifted so far (by govt). They (govt) made the rules on mandatory STPs, so they should solve the problems as well. There is buyer interest but due to lack of guidelines and infrastructure, we are unable to proceed," he explained. Developers have raised concerns over standards and certifications, with BAF holding five to six meetings in the past four months to address these issues.
Apartment Complexes Ready but Facing Hurdles
T Kamala, president of Adarsh Rhythm Apartments on Bannerghatta Road, shared that their complex generates about 170 lakh litres of treated water daily, with half used for landscaping and the rest wasted. "Our STP meets all norms, and we're ready to supply the surplus, with pipelines laid up to the gate. Though we tied up with nearby apartments, tanker transport remains a hurdle. We need govt support," she said. Builders, represented by CREDAI Karnataka President Bhaskar T Nagendrappa, are open to using treated water but stress the need for clarity on cost, quality, and supply chain, including standards like BIS norms.
Urgent Need for Government Action
BAF President Satish Malya urged BWSSB to take proactive steps, such as laying pipelines or arranging transport methods for apartments to send treated water to nearby parks or grounds. "BWSSB can at least lay pipelines or arrange other ways for apartments to send their treated water to nearby parks or grounds. We have reached out multiple times to officials, but nothing has materialised so far," he noted. The collective push underscores the critical need for government intervention to bridge the gap between supply and demand, ensuring Bengaluru's water sustainability in the face of climate challenges.
