Karnataka Government Prohibits the Utilization of Fresh Water for Non-essential Activities

In the midst of the water scarcity gripping the city, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of drinking water in swimming pools. The announcement, made on Tuesday, entails a ban on the use of potable water in swimming pools, with violators facing a penalty of Rs 5,000.

Simultaneously, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar launched a strong critique against the BJP, accusing the party of politicizing the water shortage issue in Bengaluru. “The BJP is planning a protest against the state government tomorrow; let them proceed. First, let them approach the central government and request permission for the Mahadayi and Mekedaatu projects,” remarked the Deputy Chief Minister.

“There is no actual water scarcity in Bengaluru; it is the BJP that has fabricated the scarcity. We are fulfilling our legal obligations to provide water to Tamil Nadu. Our priority is to supply water to Bengaluru,” added DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the nodal minister for Bengaluru. He emphasized that the government is actively working on multiple fronts to address the crisis.

Chairperson of the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board, Dr. V Ram Prasath Manohar, clarified on Saturday, “In the city, with a population of 1 crore 40 lakhs, 150 litres of water consumption per person per day is required. The total quantity required for Bengaluru is 200,000 million litres per day.” Explaining the current water sources, he stated, “Currently, from the Cauvery, we are receiving 10,450 million litres per day. The reservoir is currently providing 34 thousand million cubic feet (tmc) of water. The requirement for Bengaluru for the next five months is only eight tmc water. The water from Cauvery will be sufficient till July.”

In response to the water crisis, the state unit of the BJP staged a protest at Freedom Park on Tuesday to bring attention to the issue. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticized the Congress Government, alleging that they released water to please their alliance partner in Tamil Nadu despite being aware of the impending water crisis in Bengaluru. Surya asserted that neither Chief Minister Siddaramaiah nor Deputy CM DK Shivakumar visited the water-stressed areas of the city to understand the plight of the people.

Meanwhile, the state government has implemented a ban on the use of potable water for non-drinking purposes, with strict enforcement beginning on March 15.