Long-term MoUs between Sanchari Cauvery, apartments to counter skyrocketing water tanker prices

As many parts of Karnataka reel under deficiency in rains this southwest monsoon season even as July comes to an end, water tankers in Bengaluru are reporting better business than in summer.

Many apartment communities that had come out of the dependence on private water tankers after Cauvery V Stage being commissioned in 2024 are being coerced into signing long-term contracts of two years with private water tanker businesses to get water.

To address this, Manjula N., chairperson, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), on Tuesday (July 28) announced that the board will enter into MoUs with apartment communities to provide regular water supply under the Sanchari Cauvery scheme.

She said the bulk water supply feature was available earlier as well, but not digitised, which will be done now.

Water tankers make a killing

“We are back in business mid-way through the monsoon season, which we never expected. The demand has gone up over the last three weeks. Many apartment communities are coming back to us seeking regular supply,” said Ramesh Reddy, a water tanker supplier in Whitefield.

While Ajay Kumar, another private supplier in Marathahalli area, said a 12,000 litre tanker was being sold at ₹1,600-₹1,800, and prices will be revised to nearly ₹2,200 soon, Mr. Reddy said that the demand was so high that it had already touched ₹2,500.

The same quantity of water is available for ₹1,300 under the Sanchari Cauvery scheme, but is said to be “not easy to get or always reliable”.

A multifold crisis

Not all apartment communities have taken Cauvery V Stage connections yet. Even those who have availed a connection recently say the supply is not sufficient to meet all their needs.

Moreover, yield in many borewells in these apartments have either come down or dried up. “We have four borewells in our community, of which two have dried up. The yield is low in another. The Cauvery water supply is not enough. So, we are back to buying water from private tankers,” said Sunil Kumar, an apartment resident in Kalkere.

“Private water suppliers are saying they will supply water only if apartments sign a long-term contract for two years, with a mid-term exit clause of at least three months. We raised this issue during the meeting with BWSSB on Tuesday (July 28), and the board will now sign MoUs with apartment communities directly. We will publicise and promote this,” said Satish Mallya, president, Bangalore Apartments’ Federation.

BWSSB to match bulk users to apartment STPs

For better utilisation of treated water produced at Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at apartments, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will create an action plan to connect potential bulk users of treated water like industries, ongoing construction projects, educational institutions and commercial complexes, with STPs in apartments.