Install aerators, use drinking water judiciously, BWSSB tells citizens

As the monsoon is expected to be severely deficient this year, following El Niño, and groundwater levels are going down in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has reintroduced water conservation norms it brought in during the crisis of the summer of 2024.

The BWSSB has issued three orders on Saturday — mandating aerators on all taps in public places, a ban on the use of drinking water to fill swimming pools, and mandating the use of treated water for non-drinking purposes like washing vehicles, gardening, construction, fountains, all non-drinking uses in malls and film theatres, laying roads and cleaning.

Manjula N., Chairperson, BWSSB, said that only judicious use of water and its conservation today can guarantee a water-secure future tomorrow, and these measures were the need of the hour.

Given a severe monsoon deficit this year, with water levels in reservoirs already running low, the summer of 2027 is expected to be parched, like in 2024, preceded by a failed monsoon in 2023.

Unlike last time, when water conservation measures were put in place during the summer crisis, the BWSSB has resorted to the same measures this time during the monsoon itself.

Even before the monsoon, the BWSSB requested the Indian Institute of Science to study the predictive analysis of the groundwater situation in the city. The IISc report predicted a water shortage in 65 wards in the city due to groundwater depletion during the summer of 2026.

Deficit rains during this monsoon will only worsen the situation further in the coming days, sources said.

The BWSSB has mandated the installation of aerators/flow restrictors that save the use of water by 30% to 50% on all taps in public spaces like malls, apartments, commercial complexes, hotels, government offices, and religious places by July 31, failing which the Board has warned water supply will be cut by 50% to such consumers, a fine of ₹5000 will be levied and an aerator installed and its cost recovered from the consumer.

Likewise, any violation of the ban on drinking water for swimming pools and other non-potable uses will also attract a fine of ₹5,000. Swimming pools where sportspersons prepare for national and international-level sports are exempt from this rule.