Bengaluru: The state government, anticipating drinking water crisis in Bengaluru this summer, has prepared a contingency plan to draw water from the dead storage of Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore.
Speaking to media persons, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil said with the present storage in KRS, the water needs of Bengaluru could be met up to May. However, the authorities anticipated a shortage in peak summer. “Officials are constantly monitoring the availability of water in KRS. They are favouring utilisation of dead storage in case of emergency,” he said. The dead storage is 4.4 tmcft in KRS.
A high-level meeting of irrigation officials discussed the possibility of pumping the dead storage of KRS, if the need arose, to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water needs. The reservoir is the lifeline of Mysuru, Bengaluru and the Mandya region. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) draws water from the KRS for the city.
Authorities were also planning to announce water rationing, which would mean restricting the supply of water to once in three days.
