Bengaluru's Water Supply Secure for 3-4 Months, Warns of Groundwater Crisis
As the southwest monsoon remains erratic in Karnataka for the second month, Bengaluru faces a dry spell with rainfall significantly below normal. Data from June 1 to July 9 shows a 35% deficit in Bengaluru Urban and 24% in South Interior Karnataka, raising concerns about water and power availability.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has reintroduced water conservation norms earlier this year compared to the summer 2024 crisis. Chairperson Manjula N. assured that there is no immediate cause for panic. Bengaluru currently draws around 1,900 million litres per day (MLD) of Cauvery water, with an additional 300 MLD capacity available. With the Cauvery V Stage, total capacity stands at 2,225 MLD.
“Even if there is no rainfall over the next three to four months, Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements can be managed through the Cauvery system. However, stress may occur in later months if rainfall remains absent,” Ms. Manjula said. She noted that inflows into the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) reservoir are improving, and the board is monitoring conditions in real-time.
However, challenges persist in localities dependent on groundwater and borewells. Groundwater depletion and distribution issues are causing localized stress. Experts stress the need for long-term solutions beyond assured Cauvery supply.
Priyanka Jamwal, Senior Fellow at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, warned that erratic rainfall increases uncertainty in surface and groundwater availability. “For a city like Bengaluru, this means greater dependence on tanker water, especially during delayed rains. Vulnerable communities bear the heaviest burden, often paying more for basic needs,” she said.
She also highlighted health risks from tanker water sourced from borewells near polluted lake beds, which may be contaminated by sewage or industrial waste. The question remains whether lessons from the 2024 crisis have led to meaningful change. While BWSSB’s immediate outlook is stable, experts emphasize that long-term water security requires sustainable management of both surface and groundwater resources.
