They say groundwater management can avert similar water crises in the future and go a long way if supplemented with measures such as wastewater reuse, demand management, etc.
According to KGWA’s data, Hoskote has experienced the maximum gain in groundwater level over the last decade. The average annual water level in the taluk has improved to 22.95 metres below ground level (bgl) in 2023 from 57.27 meters in 2014.
Experts say while the Karnataka Water Policy for effective management of water was brought in and approved by the state cabinet in 2022, its implementation still appears to be a distant dream.
Experts say the potential of rainwater harvesting to recharge the groundwater table through metro lines is enormous. According to an RWH potential estimate of BMRCL conducted by Biome Environmental Trust, a 35-km-long and 10-metre-wide viaduct of BMRCL has the potential to harvest 9,450-kilo litre of water during a 30 mm rainfall. Similarly, the RWH potential of two spans (distance between three piers of BMRCL) is 15-kilo litre during a 30 mm rainfall.
For instance, the total coliform level in Kammasandra Lake is 240 million MPN/100ml; in Seegehalli Lake, it is 2.4 million MPN/100ml; in Varthur Lake, it is found to be 17 million MPN/100ml; and in Kammagondanahalli Lake it is 2.2 million MPN/100ml. Groundwater experts say while the lake water is not directly being used for drinking purposes, it can contaminate shallow water aquifers in the area, rendering them unfit for drinking too.