The water supply as critical focal point for property investments

outlet of a natural water tank

Water is a serious matter in Bangalore, the growing city, the weak supply system, the poor maintenance and the missing awareness will worsen the situation in the future. Because of its rocky ground structure the available water is sitting in pockets, is not getting sufficient recharged in the rainy season and the demand is daily increasing, which lead to the highest bore well density in Asia and the first serious considerations about the future supply.

The water supply system is not everywhere in good conditions, leaks and misuse lead to addition waste. More serious is the missing awareness of the shortage and the interconnection between, consumption, treatment and pollution. Pollution of the ground and surface water leads to alarming pollution levels. It is said that the already rare groundwater of Bangalore is to 60% contaminated. Visible signs of the pollution are the open drainages, drainages in industrial settlements, each bike repair shop, even in rural areas it can be seen, that trucks and tractors are washed in the remaining water bodies, where others take their bath and even drink the water. 

open water drainage in Bangalore

car cleaning in a drink water reservour

Slowly the authorities realise the seriousness of the issue, it is mentioned that in already 5 years it will not be enough water available for Bangalore, and so some good concept are push forward. Big attention is given to the rainwater harvest to recharge the ground water and avoid that the water is running to fast out of the city, parks are considered as heat sinks to avoid further heating up of the city and recently it was announced that the natural water system; chains of water tanks storing the water from the surrounding catchment areas, should be reactivated, connected and maintain. Even the house owners put more attention to that topic and plan additional rainwater harvest tanks. For instant with a roof area of 3000sqf and a tank of 100’000l a house can come over the hot summer season in Bangalore. Unfortunately proper duct systems are hardly found on individual houses to collect the roof water.

Another major water sources for Bangalore is the passing river Cauvery. Here the demand from different states, through which the river flows, leaded already to political friction and  is a sensitive topic. If you have a weekend trip to the Cauvery, for instant on the way to Mysore, it can raise the question how such a little river can feed big Bangalore. These rivers are stored through big dames, which store the water from the rainy season and the water is transmitted to Bangalore over pipelines and feed into the corporate water system of the BWSSB, which covers part of Bangalore. That water is pumped to the different developed areas and reaches the individual houses or flats. But that supply is not continuous and the water quality cannot be considered as granted. A regular water check and for sure a NO to use the water as drinking water helps to avoid surprises.

Cauvery river at Srirampadna on the way to Mysore

Overall the water situation in Bangalore is still ok, in 2010 there were in the northern areas of Bangalore like Devenahali, Doddabalapur and Chickballapur in the summer season all wells dry, but the people got there water supply over tankers filled from bore wells from other areas. In high end residential areas the supply of water is uninterrupted and availability of additional water over tankers is given. The city is thanks to the moderate weather still nice green and the situation can be compared with South-European areas like Spain or Greece.

Nonetheless it is a serious topic, the public should stand up against misuse and pollution and the awareness should be brought to that topic with the attention to create long term strategies, which have not to be gigantic like a political initiative to build a pipeline from the Himalaya to south of India.If you want to buy a property check the availability of that critical resource.