BWSSB would supply treated water for industrial usage

As the water scarcity in the city increases, the supply of water to industries is being curtailed, which creates challenges for businesses. To provide a permanent solution to this issue, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has prepared a new project aimed at supplying treated water to industrial areas.

The pilot implementation of this project is underway in the Peenya industrial area. The objective of the project is to reduce water demand and prioritize sustainable water management.

The BWSSB is connecting separate HDPE pipelines from the Nagasandra sewage treatment plant (STP) within the jurisdiction of the Dasarahalli zone to industrial areas. Through this system, treated water will be supplied directly to the gates of factories daily.

The BWSSB is investing ₹27 crores for this project and has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for submission to the government, expressing confidence that it will be approved soon.

The main goals of implementing this project are to reduce dependence on Cauvery water sourced from over 100 km away, lower the cost of water for factories, save labor and time, and ensure timely water supply to industries.

Currently, the Peenya industrial area receives 2.5 million liters per day (MLD) of Cauvery water (70 MLD per month), which is sufficient for a single ward's drinking water needs. The water is primarily used for various purposes, including machinery cooling, factory cleanliness, handwashing, sanitation, and garden maintenance.

The current rate for using Cauvery water for commercial purposes is fixed at ₹90 per thousand liters. Although treated water is supplied via tankers, transportation costs are also included, and due to traffic congestion, timely availability is not guaranteed. Consequently, the usage of treated water has been low.

Once this new project is implemented, water will be made available within a radius of four to five kilometres to industrial areas. The rate for treated water will be set at ₹25 per thousand litres, resulting in a cost savings of around 75% for factories. Water will also be available as needed.