Bengaluru prepares for water shutdown: Tankers in demand as residents stock up

Bengaluru residents are making alternate plans to ensure water supply after the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) announced that water supply in the entire city will be disrupted on Sunday and Monday.

"Refurbishing works will be taken up starting tonight (Saturday) and the pumping stations at TK Halli, Harohalli and Tatagani will not be functional. This will affect water supply in the entire BWSSB network in Bengaluru wherever Cauvery water is supplied," a senior official at the BWSSB told TNM.

An official release from the BWSSB further stated that pumping stations at Torekadanahalli, Harohalli and Tataguni, where Cauvery water is treated before it is pumped to the city, will not be functional between 8 am on Sunday and 2 am on Monday. This means that all areas currently receiving water under Cauvery Water Supply will see disruption in water supply for 18 hours. 

Bengaluru residents are turning to alternative options to ensure that the shutdown of water supply will not cause problems. "We have issued instructions to residents stating that water should be stored and there should be minimal use of water. We will rely on tankers in case the need arises," Abdul Aleem, a resident of HM Tamourine Apartment in JP Nagar said. 

Meanwhile, an official at a private company providing water in tankers told TNM that due to the high demand, the price of supplying water had gone up marginally in the city. "Usually, 12,000 litres of water is supplied at a cost of Rs 1,500 but the prices are closer to Rs 2,000 this weekend due to the demand," the official said. The same official added that the demand for the water shot up ever since the shutdown on Sunday and Monday was announced. 

Water supply will be disrupted in all areas under the first four stages of the Cauvery Water Supply scheme. This, however, does not affect areas outside of the BWSSB's network. "In our area, water is provided by tankers all year long and this shutdown will not affect our water supply," stated Vineeta, a resident of Bellandur. In areas like Bellandur, Sarjapur, Mahadevapura and Electronic City, the water shutdown will have little effect.