According to a report by a credible source, around 22 families in Bengaluru were fined with INR 5,000 each for utilizing Cauvery water for un-purposeful works amidst a severe water shortage.
Due to this over consumption of water, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) collected a fine of Rs 1.1 lakh from 22 families. The complaints were received viz social media showing that these families were utilizing drinking water for unworthy purposes such as gardening, and cleaning cars.
Actively monitoring complaints from residents, the south division of BWSSB is well known for its strict stance on water wastage of any given form. In a recent past, BWSSB had banned the use of Cauvery water and borewell water for carrying out activities like pool dances or rain dances during Holi celebrations in the city. With this decision, it led to several establishments removing "rain dance" programs from their promotional materials.
Furthermore, to mitigate this, commercial establishments, restaurants, luxury hotels, apartments, industries, and other public areas are now mandated to install aerators so as to control water flow from taps.
In addition, the government is considering various aspects to overcome this grave problem by treating water as a viable solution. This wastewater treatment can be utilized for non-essential purposes, wherein, this will greatly reduce the dependency of people on Cauvery water.
Also, the Bengaluru water supply board is focusing on replenishing dried lakes in the city with treated wastewater where this promising initiative will be to help recharge borewells especially before the onset of peak summer.
