Are we ready to face the water scarcity in Bangalore

Are we geared up to face the Water scarcity in the coming Summer 2014? What's the Solution? 

In Bangalore, there was hue and cry over mandatory RWH for every 60x40 site owned by the public. So, many firms made big money by trying to implement RWH by marketing their products and these firms were busy making money.  But, did really these RWH structures put up by the citizens made any impact on the water table of Bangalore city is a million dollar question mark.  No studies were conducted to study the impact of these RWH structures. 

The government changed and the people and the administration (especially BWSSB) coolly forgot this.  Also, at the fag end of the previous government's tenure, it was made mandatory to register the Private Borewells and there was a long queue in BWSSB's  Malleswaram's office to register their respective borewell. An Amount of Rs.20/= per borewell was also collected per borewell.  This was in March 2013.  Now we are in March 2014. What happened to this data and above all to the money collected?  No answers so far. And as usual the Citizens forgot this whole issue.  But now a DRY summer is fast approaching, then there will be cries of water scarcity and poor administration.  This has become an Annual event like our Bangalore Habba.

So, as a Geologist and having concern over the depleting water table in Bangalore and a hot summer expected in few months from now ( its another matter that it is already damn hot in bangalore that too in february) I have these question in my mind?  Are we really geared up to face the grim water scarcity facing the citizens of Bangalore?  Do the RWH structures put by last year in all houses located in 60x40 site will be of any help to us this summer of 2014? 

Let us understand the underlying geological formations of bangalore city to understand where we stand vis-a-vis on the water issue?  I am not going to teach you hydrogeology, so dont worry.

Basically the Bangalore city is underlined by Hard rock formations which normally holds water in its Fractures and Joints ( cracks which we geologists call as joints).  In addition to this, there are patches of sedimentary formations which is only superficial and cannot act as a good acquifer. ( An Acquifer is a rockformation which can hold water due to its porosity)

This being the scenario, how much water from the RWH pits put up in every 60x40 site shall be recharged into the system?  these pits are shallow and the precious rain water pumped into these pits can hardly seep into the ground to percolate into the underlying hard rock to reach the deep seated fractures which holds the water. This shows the lack of  scientific approach by our planners and engineers who have poor knowledge or sometimes zero knowledge about how an aquifer gets recharged.  These shallow RWH pits can contribute to the weakening of the adjoining buildings in the long run.  Thats for sure. But I doubt whether these RWH structures put by ordinary citizens out of their hard earned money, shall ever recharge the water table.

So, what's the solution. 

Every Acquifer has a catchment area which acts as a feeder to the underlying acquifer.  Thats why the water table raises whenever the catchment areas get rains.  We forgot this golden truth about the underlying acquifer of Bangalore.  The numerous Lakes which are found all over Bangalore are NATURAL Reservoirs and Catchment area for the underlying water table.  Its sad to note that almost 80% of our lakes are dying and contains polluted water and this recharge is going to harm our health.  This is one reason the TDS in water samples collected from all over bangalore shows a marked increase. And toxins like Arsenic, Chlorides, Flourides and lead etc; are found beyond the permissible limits making it unfit for drinking purposes. 

Step One:  Identify the Catchment areas in Bangalore city and divert all the Rainwater to this catchment area. If the catchment area is far away, then drilling of a recharge borewell is recommended which shall act as a recharge for the existing borewells in that area.  The resident welfare associations have to start working in this direction immediately.  Another this to be borne in mind:  We should allow only treated water to be recharged.  Untreated rain water when recharged will pollute the already PURE groundwater.  

Step Two:  The rainwater should be collected locally in ponds and the rainwater from all the houses, strorm water drains should be directed to this collection pond.
Step Three:  The rainwater collected in the collection ponds should be treated
Step Four:  The treated rain water can be distributed directly to the consumers and a major portion of it can be recharged through recharge borewells dug up near existing borewells.

Grey Water Recycling:  In addition to the above, the apartment owners especially the gated communities can think of implementing the Grey water Recycling.  Grey water is referred to the water generated after washing of clothes, bathing etc; A seperate pipeline system is to be established to collect this grey water and all the grey water is to be collected ina collection tank which can be treated further.  This treated water can be used for washing of cars, washing the floow, common area, watering the plants etc; Why can't the BDA , BBMP make it mandatory for the Builders who are coming up with New projects to compulsorily implement Grey water recycling?  At least the consumers can have a say and insist on the Builders to implement Grey water recycling system in their projects.  Let this be a citizen initiative. 

Economics of this System:

BWSSB is spending Crores of rupees for pumping of kaveri water , treating it, and supplying it to all areas in bangalore. Instead of spending so much of money on laying pieplines, on power to pump the water, on treatment of water, maintenance of distribution systems, the Govt. can think of sinking recharge borewells in all areas in consultation with geologists who have knowledge about the underlying rock formations and solve the water problems of bangalore city.

An Appeal:

Discourage Builders to build apartments in areas which are already having water scarcity. For example, in chikka tirupathi, the water table has gone so deep that even after drilling 1000 feet water is not found.  Same is the case in many so-called upcoming areas of Bangalore city.

Builders and Developers lure the Innocent and Gullible Public by advertising about Villas and Penthouses.  What's the use of having a Posh Villa with Italian Bathrooms without a bucket of water? 

Comments and Suggestions are welcome.  You can contact me on shivakumarthegeologist@gmail.com