Bengaluru crisis: Misusing drinking water for gardening, washing cars to invite Rs 5,000 fine

The order urges the public who spot any violation of the same to call the BWSSB call centre number 1916 and lodge a complaint against the violators.

The officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board issued an order on Thursday announcing a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone using Cauvery water for non-drinking purposes such as car washing, gardening, etc. (File | Vinod Kumar T)

BENGALURU: Due to the ongoing water crisis in the City, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has decided to come down heavily on any form of wasting drinking water. It issued an order on Thursday announcing a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone using Cauvery water for non-drinking purposes such as car washing, gardening, etc. Repeating the violation will incur an additional Rs 500 per day along with the newly fixed Rs 5,000.

Drinking water cannot be used for washing vehicles, gardening, construction, water fountains, road construction or cleaning and for any other purpose other than drinking in theatre and cinema halls, states the prohibitory order issued by Chairman V Ram Prasath Manohar. This is in line with the BWSSB Act 1964, sections 33 and 34. The fine has been imposed under clause 109, it said.

The order also urges the public who spot any violation of the same to call the BWSSB call centre number 1916 and lodge a complaint against the violators.

The City has a population of roughly 1.4 crore. “The order has been issued bearing in mind the need to provide drinking water for all,” it added.

#Bengaluru

Wasting water ? Get ready to pay a Rs 5000 penalty for the first time offenders, for repeated offenders it's Rs 5000 + Rs 500 everyday.

If you see anyone wasting water, call 1916 (BWSSB's call centre )@NewIndianXpress @Cloudnirad pic.twitter.com/XkGdxOH418

— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) March 8, 2024

Earlier on Thursday, the City's district administration issued an order fixing the price of tanker water after persistent allegations that tanker owners are extorting customers.

If the distance is between 5 and 10 km, a 6000-litre water tanker will cost Rs 750, an 8000-litre water tanker will cost Rs 850, and a 12,000-litre water tanker will cost Rs 1200.

Collectors who have declared all taluks of Bengaluru city district as drought-prone, private tankers supplying water will come under GST, and GST will be added to these rates, the order said.

The order explained how of late, the temperature has shot up thereby causing depletion of ground water level. It makes it all the more imperative to minimise wastage of drinking water.

"It is advised to the people not to waste the water and use it with discretion," stressed the order.

(With inputs from Online Desk)