Water supply problems are likely to get worse if Bengaluru does not get good summer showers this year. This is what BWSSB Chairman Tushar Girinath had to say in an interview with Ashwini M Sripad.
What is the water supply situation now?
There is a water crisis at present. However, we have not reduced the water supply and are still drawing the required 1,350 million litres of water per day.
Will there be sufficient water for the next two months?
As of now, we will be able to supply water till May 31.
What is the status on the number of private tankers?
There are 90 water tanker operators, including 60 private operators. Most of them work in the outskirts of the city, where water is supplied through these tankers.
Do you think the water crisis may worsen?
We are hoping for some relief from the summer showers in April and May. If we get summer showers, there will not be any problem till monsoon arrives. But if we do not get sufficient summer showers, we might have end up rationalising water supply.
What happens then?
The supply of water which is now once in two days might reduce to once in three days. With this, we might be able to manage till June 10.
What would you suggest people do?
It is high time people use less water. Wherever one can, one should go for recycled water. In the coming days, people should go for rainwater harvesting as much as possible.