Ramalinga Reddy, Minister in charge of Bangalore, does not foresee water scarcity in the city in the coming summer.
“We faced severe scarcity last year, as the level in K.R.S. was low. This year, there is sufficient stock. We do not think that the city will face a scarcity in the summer,” he told reporters on Friday after addressing the 46 annual convention of Indian Water Works Association (IWWA).
Meanwhile, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. officials said the water-level in the reservoir stood at 114.82 feet on Friday against the maximum level of 124.8 ft. The level had plummeted to ‘dead storage’ or 74 ft in March last year, causing concern not only in Bangalore, but also Mysore, Mandya and Ramanagaram.
Sewage treatmentAddressing the convention, Mr. Reddy said the city is in the forefront of usage of treated waste water, which is bringing substantial revenue to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Kempegowda International Airport, BEL, Rail Wheel Factory, ITC, Cubbon Park, Lalbagh, Arvind Mills are using treated waste water for non-potable purposes.
“More than 1,200 sewage treatment plants have been set up in the city,” he added.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) director P Balaram, who spoke on “New Initiatives – Drinking Water Sector”, emphasised the need to conserve water resources and pressing for equitable distribution. He said that technology might not always provide solutions to these challenges.
Prof. Balaram said that IISc. had set up a water recycling plant. “The plant recycles five lakh litres a day, which is around 30 per cent of the total consumption in the campus. We will soon increase the capacity.”
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