Residents of independent houses in Bengaluru raise concerns about BWSSB ban on using potable water for non-essential purposes

While residents of multi-storey apartments have access to water from a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), which is usually reused, independent houses have no such option.

A day after Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) issued an order prohibiting the usage of potable water (Cauvery and borewell) for non-essential purposes and a fine of ₹5,000 for a violation, residents of independent houses have raised concerns about not having alternate sources of water for non-potable purposes. 

The order states that drinking water should not be used for washing cars or watering plants. While many living in apartments have access to water from a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), which is usually reused, independent houses have no such option.

“As groundwater is a common resource, in our layout, we had decided not to drill individual borewells when we constructed houses decades ago. We only get Cauvery water in our house. Like every other house in Bengaluru, we also have a small garden, which would wither in this heat without water. Hence, while being conscious about water usage, we have to continue using Cauvery water for our plants,” said a resident of Dodda Bommasandra.

Moreover, citizens are wondering how BWSSB will verify if someone is using Cauvery or borewell water, or other water for non-potable purpose.

“According to Easement Act 1884, the ground water belongs to owners. If I had a borewell, I would not be willing to give my water to the State. They cannot simply bring about rules and tell people not to use water. How will they even verify which water we are using,” asked Sneha Nandihal, a resident of Indiranagar. 

Referring to a PIL plea filed by Citizens Action Forum (CAF), Vijayan Menon, a member of CAF, raised an important question. “Who owns groundwater? The implementation of a rule like this is impossible. Pleading with people to conserve water is the approach that should be used. The government is trying to do something just for the sake of optics.” 

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar clarified that it is not a blanket ban on using water for non-consumption purposes, but ‘there should be a temporary minimisation of water usage’.