Sustainable, Equitable Access to Water

Описание: Providing every Bengalurean enough water for their needs, at a price they can afford
October 29, 2019
https://bangaloreinternationalcentre....

Bengaluru is rapidly losing its groundwater. The city’s water bodies have reduced in numbers to give way to buildings and infrastructure projects. Come summer and Bengalureans can be seen obsessively discussing water, or rather the lack of it. While rains bring momentary relief, what about the long-term demands? Little has been done to find local solutions. Just 1,20,000 buildings have implemented rainwater harvesting as of May 2019, a report states. Meanwhile, big projects are on the anvil – like getting water from Yettinahole or Sharavati.

Access to water is a human right – how can we provide every citizen with enough water for their needs, at a price they can afford? How much of Cauvery’s water can be used by Bengaluru? Who has right to that water? How much of groundwater can we use and reuse? What should we pay for that? How can policy help? While citizens are enthusiastic about lake restoration, rainwater harvesting, and recharging of wells, among many other things, what more can be done? There are several regulatory issues involved in urban water management that need institutional and governance related solutions, are mere technical solutions enough?