BENGALURU: “The Supreme Court orders us to release 2,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, but Karnataka does not have enough water to meet its own drinking requirements,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
At an event to mark World Water Day organised by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) at the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said, “We do not have water for ourselves.”
The water stored in the Krishnarajasagar, Kabini, Hemavati and Harangi dams have to cater to Bengaluru and Mysuru, he added.
“All of us, including myself, waste 80 per cent water. Waste water can be recycled and put to use for non-potable purposes. Today must be the day of awakening for all of us,” he said.
BWSSB plans to recycle 1,300 lakh litres of waste water each day that can be used for non-drinking purposes.
Sporting blue caps calling for the need to conserve water, the CM administered a pledge in this regard to over 300 participants comprising water board officials, representatives from NGOs and Scouts and Guides.
He also flagged off a 2km rally to create awareness about conserving water. The rally passed from Vidhana Soudha to KR Circle and Hudson Circle before culminating at Sewage Treatment Plant at Cubbon Park.