Bengaluru Water Board Expands Reach Across Full Urban District

The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board now covers the entire Bengaluru Urban district following a notification issued by the Urban Development Department on Thursday. Previously, the board's reach was limited to the core city area covering seven City Municipal Councils, one Town Municipal Council, and 110 villages over roughly 800 square kilometres.

New Areas and Duties

The fresh notification brings five taluks in full under the board, including North, East, South, Yelahanka, and Anekal, along with all villages within them. The board is now responsible for planning, executing, operating, and maintaining drinking water supply, underground drainage, and safe sewage disposal through treatment plants in these new areas.

Master Plan and Water Needs

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated on Friday that a combined master plan will be prepared for the district outside Greater Bengaluru Authority limits to ensure water and sewage infrastructure. The board must assess drinking water requirements for the next five and ten years, covering storage, treatment plants, and distribution networks. A similar blueprint will be made for underground sewage networks and treatment plants, with work to happen in phases.

Groundwater and Lakes

Minister Gowda noted that groundwater exploitation has risen beyond sustainable levels, requiring external intervention. The Minor Irrigation Department has been directed to prepare plans to use treated wastewater to fill lakes around the Greater Bengaluru Authority limits. The move comes as rapid urbanisation spreads beyond city limits into surrounding municipalities and gram panchayats.