Karnataka govt to slap ₹5000 fine on residents using potable water for non-consumption purpose

Malls and theatres haven’t escaped unscathed either, receiving explicit instructions to confine their water consumption strictly to drinking purposes.

#Karnataka Govt to impose fine of Rs 5000 on members of the general public if they are found using potable (drinking water) for non-consumption purposes like cleaning, washing vehicles, gardening, construction work, road laying or even for decorations like water fountain in… pic.twitter.com/AwYe83e4vo

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) March 8, 2024

Karnataka government takes action

This order comes against the grim backdrop of an acute water crisis in Bengaluru and its rural neighbourhoods. The scorching summer has exacerbated the situation over the past week, with civic authorities grappling to alleviate water scarcity, particularly in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Approximately 110 villages have recently been incorporated into the city corporation limits, where borewells are running dry due to the rapid depletion of the groundwater table.

On 7 March, the Karnataka government joined the battle, imposing caps on private water tanker prices in Bengaluru to thwart the exploitation of citizens amid the water crisis. The prices, which were once a reasonable ₹450 to ₹600 for a 6,000-litre water tanker in January, spiralled inexplicably in February, reaching the exorbitant range of ₹1,200 to ₹2,000.

Water tanker rates have been capped by @INCKarnataka government in #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/JgXFiOdAGc

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) March 8, 2024

Tanker owners and public borewell proprietors attributed this surge to the dwindling groundwater table, justifying their high prices by the dry spells in their borewells. In response to this issue, the government intervened, mandating all water tankers to register with the civic authorities (BBMP) and instituting price caps.

The BWSSB then fortified these measures by issuing a directive to penalise the use of potable water for non-consumption purposes. “As per Articles 33 and 34 of the BWSSB Act 1964, we have decided to ban the usage of drinking water for non-essential purposes. Anyone found violating the above order will be fined ₹5,000. For subsequent violations, ₹500 will be added to the fine on a per-day basis to the principal fine of ₹5,000,” the BWSSB order stated.

In tandem with these efforts, the water supply authority inaugurated a dedicated call centre — 1916 — to field queries and receive complaints related to violations of recent directives.

B’luru water crisis: ‘City of lakes’ needs more than quick-fix solutions

Not all of Bengaluru affected

According to the BWSSB, Bengaluru city has a population of 1.40 crore, including the floating population. “It is crucial task supplying drinking water to all of the 1.40 crore population of Bengaluru city. With the summer heat intensifying and groundwater table depleting, it is necessary to stop the wastage of drinking water to ensure its availability for citizens,” the order stated.

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasad Manohar told South First, “There is no water scarcity in core Bengaluru areas where Cauvery water is being supplied. The water crisis is being witnessed at the outskirts of the city where Cauvery water supply has not yet commenced. The actual demand of Bengaluru city is 1,450 MLD per day and we have more than its capacity. We are currently supplying 1,472 MLD to meet the demands,” Manohar said.