The paper by the Institute for Social and Economic Change documents the case of Ward No. 39 situated at the outskirts of the Bangalore city to understand the emerging groundwater crisis due to overdraft in urban areas. Bangalore has no perennial river, which resulted in the growth of many lakes, acting as a source of groundwater recharge earlier.
Currently, following rapid urbanization, these lakes have vanished and have been converted into residential and commercial localities. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), an organization responsible for providing water supply and sewerage system has implemented Cauvery Water Supply Schemes in four stages.
The study makes the following observations and provides these suggestions for groundwater management –
The study concludes by recommending the setting up of a taskforce exclusively to regulate water supplies for both surface and groundwater sources. This taskforce may come up with clear guidelines to govern the water resources, its utilisation mechanisms, regulating the use, maintaining its quality and ensuring efficient use of available resources (fresh and reuse of wastewater, roof water harvesting) for sustainable use of natural resources. The taskforce would be helpful to coordinate with all relevant departments and evolve strategies and guidelines covering the entire urban district area.
Download the report here: