Did you know that more than 50 per cent of water drawn by Bengaluru city is literally going down the drain by way of leakage, pilferage and unauthorised connections?
The latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report (2014), which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly last Friday, noted that there is no trace of 50.90 per cent of water supplied by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The unaccounted for water (UFW) through leakage alone is 38 per cent.
The BWSSB chalks out several programmes to mark World Water Day every year on March 22. But it does not take the initiative to plug leakage and ensure potable water to all residents of the city.
The CAG report noted that public fountain (taps) is the major contributor for UFW. In 2002, the Board had prepared a Water Supply and Conservation Management Plan but is yet to implement it, the CAG said reduce the UFW under Cauvery Water Supply Scheme in 2012 in slums and invited tenders, but did not get a response. It was re-tendered and awarded to a bidder for Rs 48.28 crore, which was 42 per cent above the estimated cost of Rs 34.11 crore. The scheduled date of completion was May 2014. But as of March 2014, expenditure incurred was only Rs 10.38 crore, the CAG said.
Besides the inordinate delay in finalisation of the tender and execution of the project, the CAG said the Board has not achieved the objective of reducing the UFW. Other studies said water shortage has, on the one hand, led to an increase in exploitation of ground water by those who can afford to dig bore wells. On the other, it has led to roaring business for those who sell water as low-income groups tend to store whatever is supplied.
Pending works, dues
Pending dues from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which was responsible for water supplied to the poor through public taps, stood at Rs 148.75 crore as on June 2014, the report said.
Also, the CAG said delay in completion of various works resulted in sewerage being discharged into storm water drains thereby polluting ground water.
