Water Scarcity in Bengaluru : An Econometric and Social Evaluation

Abstract

The question of water scarcity for the city of Bengaluru has become a huge concern especially in the past few years. With several reports threatening even the existence of the city, it becomes necessary to understand its current conditions with respect to water. The reports predicting crisis varies in their degree of water scarcity that would unfold on the city in the coming years. While one suggests Bengaluru would completely run out of groundwater in the next two years, other predicts it go completely dry losing all its ground and surface water in ten years. This research has attempted to look at the three dimensions of water scarcity in Bengaluru; Physical water Scarcity, Economic Water Scarcity and Social Water Scarcity. A quantitative study to assess the physical and economic water scarcity and secondary qualitative research to assess the social water scarcity has been carried out. The study revealed that the city though cannot be considered under severe water stress if the conditions remain unchanged it would be in a severe crisis in the coming five to ten years. With population and demand increasing exponentially and groundwater declining drastically, physical water scarcity becomes inevitable for the city. The study also tried to understand the limitations and the concerns of Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) looking at the tariff structure and .the cost of water supply Bengaluru though lacks in having a stable water source, it is blessed with abundant rainfall during the monsoons and large water storage options like lakes, for its sustenance during the summers. But the city lacks measures and infrastructure to make use of these resources to grow a self-sustained water system. The increasing built-in area, growing pollution, encroachments and degradation of the lakes all points towards an unsure future. Unless proper measures are taken immediately to change the course of water management in Bengaluru, the city would gradually die of thirst.