Study foresees spike in city water shortage

The water demand-supply gap in Bangalore city is expected to almost double by 2026, says a McKinsey study.

Analysing statistics from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the international consultancy firm estimates that the overall water supply-demand gap would jump from 750 million litres a day (mld) in 2014 to 1300 mld in 2026.

While the city consumes 1700-1800 mld of water at present, 800 mld of this is ground water. The study found that ground water was over-exploited and dangerously contaminated with sewage and other effluents. Only 30 per cent of the city has potable ground water, the study said.

The shortfall of only drinking water which has hovered around 25 per cent for the last two decades will go up to 36 per cent, the study said adding that projected drinking water supply by civic agencies in 2026 would be 1,058 mld while the demand would cross 1,644 mld.

Interventions by the State government to conserve water has had limited impact in the city, the McKinsey study said. According to the consultancy firm, rapid urbanisation of the city is outpacing the government’s efforts.

The study says the implementation of initiatives is not satisfactory as the civic bodies have failed to implement either rain water harvesting or Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) on a large scale.