BANGALORE: Not many people are concerned about conserving potable water. Water supplied by the BWSSB is indiscriminately being used for purposes other than drinking. It is more used for gardening, washing, cleaning vehicles and construction activities.

Realising the severity of the situation, the Government issued an order making it mandatory to use tertiary water (sewage water treated in three stages) for gardening, maintenance of resorts and golf courses; washing, servicing and cleaning of vehicles and construction activity either by private or government agencies in the city.

Few follow the August 14, 2003 order, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Non-compliance with the order would attract penal action under Sections 15 and 17 of the Environment (Protection) Act.

The biggest consumer of non-potable water for gardening purposes — Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) — itself is yet to utilise tertiary water, though the order makes the Commissioner of BBMP the enforcing authority to use treated water in BBMP parks.

The Horticulture Department which manages the two prestigious parks — Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park — has set up sewage treatment plants and uses treated water for gardening purposes. KSRTC has taken steps to utilise treated water while the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is still dependant on open wells and borewells.

Horticulture Department Director G.K. Vasantha Kumar told The Hindu that Lalbagh and Cubbon Park need around 10 lakh litres of water a day. The requirement is largely met by treated water, except during summer.

The daily water requirement for BMTC's 27 depots is about two lakh litres, which is largely met by its own sources, according to General Manager (Technical) Hemaraju. "We are unable to get tertiary water from BWSSB," he said. While open wells cater to water needs of five depots, borewells cater to the needs of other depots, he added.

BBMP uses borewell water for 386 parks spread over 1,600 acres of land. Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP, Krishna Udupudi said while rainwater harvesting was being done in parks, BBMP plans to raise tree parks that need less water.

Yet, the construction industry hardly uses tertiary water and is dependent on borewells and other sources. Similar is the case with hundreds of vehicle service centres in the city. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which has to enforce the order in these sectors, is yet to act. Its Chairman H.C. Sharatchandra said KSPCB was aware of use of normal water by construction sector and service centres. A list of defaulters was being prepared to take action, he said.

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