Bangalore’s water scarcity is common knowledge, and experts say that the problem will only get worse with new hotels and properties coming up every year.
Builders and corporates, who were constructing new apartments and offices undeterred by the imminent crisis, have now begun to take a closer look at the problem.
“Growth cannot stop because of such issues. There are people coming in, they need homes to stay, offices to work. We do not expect much from government as issues like these are beyond their understanding. They rather fight against each other for seats,” says a known builder in the city on the condition of anonymity.
A recent report from the Asian Development Bank revealed the severity of water management problems in India, where only 23% of homes receive public utilities. India ranked above only Vietnam and Bangladesh on metrics of “water-sensitive countries”.
In Bangalore, the strain on the groundwater table and the poor reach of piped water has led to fears that the city will dry up next summer, forcing rationing of water. This is in spite of the fair amount of rainfall Bangalore has received in 2013. The problem has forced India Inc into doing its bit to address it. From builders to hoteliers to corporates, all seem to have realised that they can survive only if they manage the water crisis.
For instance, IT company Infosys has been able to reduce its per capita water consumption by 34% from the year 2008.
“As a global corporation, we believe it is our foremost responsibility to make our businesses sustainable and set an example for others. We have tried to reduce consumption of water on a daily basis through optimising the consumption pattern,” says a company spokesperson.
Apart from rainwater harvesting, the Bangalore campus also has around 30 shallow and deep well recharge systems. Complete water requirement for irrigation is met with recycled water from our on-site STPs. The company has also built waterless urinals in their campus.
“We consider it our responsibility to give back to the environment what we take from it. It was imperative for us to take on the restoration of the Nelligudda lake, thereby providing sustainable water solutions to the surrounding villages,” says Puneet Varshney, zonal vice-president, HCCBPL.
Water conservation activists say that companies now do not have any option but to work towards conserving water. “Their survival is dependent on water. Though some of the companies are doing some great work, others need to pull up their socks. One needs to think beyond just rainwater harvesting and sewerage treatment plant,” says Anirudha Dambal, who has taken part in water conservation drives in the city.
However, such practices are restricted to bigger names in the industry.
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