At least 22 complaints have been registered concerning the utilization of potable water for washing cars despite the prevailing water scarcity in Bengaluru. In response, authorities in the city have fined 22 households for what they consider to be "misuse" of drinking water for non-essential purposes, such as car cleaning. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has collected fines totaling Rs 1.10 lakh within just three days.
Officials have urged Bengaluru residents to exercise restraint in their water usage. According to BWSSB chairperson Ram Prashant Manohar, most of the complaints are originating from the south-eastern part of the city. Alongside issuing warnings and appeals, fines are being imposed to discourage wasteful water practices.
The fines collected from the southwest area alone amount to Rs 65,000 out of the total Rs 1.10 lakh accrued thus far.
Earlier this month, the BWSSB enacted a prohibition on using water for activities such as vehicle washing, gardening, construction, and fountain operation. This measure comes amid rising temperatures and a decline in groundwater levels due to insufficient rainfall in recent times.
The scarcity of water in Bengaluru has become increasingly severe, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealing that the city faces a deficit of 500 million liters of water per day (MLD) compared to its actual requirement of 2,600 MLDs. Additionally, he noted that out of 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru, 6,900 have already dried up.
