BWSSB Achieves Guinness World Record for Water Conservation Campaign
On Wednesday, the Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar accepted the Guinness World Record certificate awarded to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for a groundbreaking water conservation effort.
Historic Campaign Yields Unprecedented Public Participation
The accolade follows a week-long drive from March 21 to 28, which kicked off with the Cauvery Aarti at Sankey Tank. During this period, BWSSB successfully gathered an astonishing 5.33 lakh pledges from citizens committing to conserve water—a record for the maximum number of pledges collected in just seven days.
Addressing Water Supply Challenges and Future Plans
Speaking at the event, Mr. Shivakumar highlighted that a recent water tariff revision—the first in over ten years—aims to curb financial losses suffered by BWSSB, amounting to nearly ₹500 crore annually. However, despite these efforts, the board has yet to fully break even.
He noted, "Around 35% of property owners are still not regular with their bill payments," emphasizing ongoing challenges in revenue recovery.
The Minister also outlined ambitious government plans to extend Cauvery water supply to approximately 2 crore residents across the Bengaluru region. Currently, water reaches newly incorporated zones of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) via the Cauvery V Stage project. The upcoming Cauvery VI Stage aims to serve an additional 50 lakh people in the city's outskirts, with the detailed project report currently underway.
Innovating Water Supply Systems: Looking to Delhi as a Model
Drawing parallels with other metropolitan areas, Mr. Shivakumar referenced Delhi's adoption of a dual piping system that separates drinking water from non-potable uses. He suggested that Bengaluru should explore a similar approach to enhance water management and efficiency in the near future.
Clarifying Concerns Over Cauvery Aarti at KRS Dam
Responding to objections from Mandya’s farming community regarding the Cauvery Aarti at KRS dam, the Minister admitted that residents were not adequately informed about the event. He promised to convene a joint meeting with the district’s in-charge Minister soon to address misunderstandings and ensure transparent communication.
