This story is from May 22, 2019

Bengaluru may get 2,000MLD more water in 20 years

The city may be spared the waterless doom predicted for several urban centres across the world. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) plans to increase its water supply by 2,000 million litres per day (MLD) from various sources within two decades.
Bengaluru may get 2,000MLD more water in 20 years
Representative image
BENGALURU: The city may be spared the waterless doom predicted for several urban centres across the world. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) plans to increase its water supply by 2,000 million litres per day (MLD) from various sources within two decades.
BWSSB hopes increasing its current supply of 1,453MLD of water to 3,550MLD, a 143% jump, will not only quench the thirst of 110 villages under BBMP limits that do not receive piped water supply at present but also ensure regular supply to existing customers.

According to BWSSB chairman Tushar Girinath, water supply augmentation will be realised with the implementation of Stage 5 of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme along with drawing water from the reservoir proposed at Mekedatu. Sourcing water from River Sharavati and the Yettinahole project is also part of BWSSB’s plan. Girinath said the board could realise these projects by 2050 if all decks are cleared in time.
BWSSB’s plan comes against the backdrop of concerns raised over increasing demand for drinking water in Bengaluru, with the city’s population expected to reach 20.3 million by 2031.
Adequate stock
The board also allayed fears of the city running short of drinking water this summer.
“At present, KRS and Kabini dams are Bengaluru’s water sources. Both have sufficient water to cater to Bengaluru’s drinking water needs till the end of June 2019,” a senior board official said. “Monsoon is expected by early June and the storage situation will improve. BWSSB is supplying 1,453MLD of water to Bengaluru city, up from 1,383MLD in 2018 and 1,350MLD in 2017.”

Treating sewage
In addition to augmenting water supply, the board has also adopted measures to save around 120MLD through reduction of unaccounted for water (UFW).
Another prominent aspect of the plan is to treat sewage. By the end of 2020, the board aims to put in place sewage treatment capacity of 1,599MLD. It also plans to treat 114MLD waste water from 110 villages under the Cauvery Stage 5 project in a decentralized manner by installing 14 sewage treatment plants. By the end of 2023, BWSSB’s sewage treatment capacity will be around 1,713MLD.
“Of the total treated water, 50% will be used to fill lakes in Bengaluru’s neighbouring districts. The rest will be used to meet the demand for non-potable water from industrial, commercial and domestic consumers and fill the lakes of Bengaluru. Watering of public gardens and community parks will also be undertaken with treated water,” another official said.
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