BBMP responsibilities for water supply

Most issues relating to water supply and sewage discussed by ward committees pertain to BWSSB. BWSSB has no ward level officer.

Under Section 58 (21) and (28) of the City Corporations Act, BBMP must provide potable water. But, these functions are almost totally done by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Most issues relating to water supply and sewage discussed by ward committees pertain to BWSSB. BWSSB has no ward level officer.

The AEE or his officials attend ward committee meetings to respond to issues raised and report action taken on items discussed in previous meetings.

BWSSB is responsible for water supply in areas where it has already given pipe connections and taken deposits from householders for supplying water. If there is water scarcity in these areas, BWSSB has to provide tanker water at normal metered rates from protected sources. The tanker schedule of the BWSSB is available here.

In parts of the city, which were added to BBMP ten years back, BWSSB has not yet given pipe connections. In these areas, residents make their own arrangements using well water or water bought through tankers. When they require BWSSB connections, they have to make an application online at the Sajala site.

The amounts to be paid and calculation of water demand are available here.

Issues without budgetary implications requiring no fresh decisions

Digging and deepening of shallow wells and bore wells

Since 2013, digging of bore wells for commercial use has been banned by BWSSB. In core areas, digging bore wells for domestic use has also been banned. For digging bore wells for domestic use in peripheral areas, permission has to be taken from BWSSB by filling out this form.
Applications for digging bore wells for domestic use from peripheral areas are considered by an expert committee, which gets the area inspected by the Ground Water Authority to assess piped water availability. Unauthorised digging and deepening of bore wells without taking permission can be reported to BWSSB which is supposed to give a notice to the offender and levy a fine as well as stop the digging. Persons who have bore wells also make commercial use of water in summer by selling it through tankers.
BBMP has to give trade licenses to those who use power driven machinery for industrial and commercial purposes with electricity or generators. However householders convert domestic electrical connections for commercial use by applying to BESCOM to get power to run their pumps, without taking trade licenses from BBMP. Trade licenses also have to be renewed before 31st March every year. If the BBMP trade license rule is violated, the Health Officer can close or seal the premises. BWSSB, Bescom, and KSPCB have the power to close such bore wells.

Issues requiring BBMP budget allocation

There is no budget head of account in BBMP for water supply and sewage. However, money has been provided under Payments-Item 13, Public Works (Zonal) for water supply and sewage. In 2019-20, Rs. 19.07 crs. have been provided overall for fresh works and Rs. 9.95 crs. for spillover works. Rs. 50 crs. have also been provided for fresh works.

Issues that MUST be discussed in ward committees about RO (reverse osmosis) plants. There are several issues here:

Location of the plant and ownership of the land on which it is based
The source of the water supplied from the plant. Some plants draw water from bore wells, but this is not clear. Hence, the question of quality of the water supplied by the plant needs to be discussed
Selection of the agency who will run the plant and on what terms. In many plants, the person who runs the plant charges money and sells water. This money is not paid to BBMP.