Using Technology to Reverse Water Scarcity in Rapidly Growing Cities
The global water crisis continues to grow more severe, with nearly two-thirds of the world’s population experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. By 2030, 700 million people could be displaced by water scarcity.
Displacement has already begun in Bengaluru, India, an alarming example of the effects of water shortages.
In this tech hub once known as the City of Lakes, groundwater has dried up, lakes have become contaminated, and water supply to schools, hospitals, households, and businesses has been erratic at best, straining the economy and society.
But a sustainable water future is not out of reach, if Bengaluru can take to heart the lessons of other water-starved regions and embrace the kind of technology and ecological transformation that can secure a sustainable water future. In that way, it serves as an example for water-starved regions around the world seeking a path forward.
The makings of a water crisis
Bengaluru has rapidly developed into a tech hub, with the city’s population growing by 76% over the past decade. Today, the metropolitan area is home to approximately 14 million people, a number that continues to rise.
This rapid expansion has strained Bengaluru’s water resources. The city's demand for freshwater has skyrocketed to around 2,832 million liters per day (MLD). While the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) provides 1,460 MLD from the Cauvery River, the city relies heavily on groundwater to make up the difference. This dependence has led to rapid depletion of groundwater resources.
The situation is further exacerbated by the loss of the city's natural water sources. Of the 285 lakes that once dotted Bengaluru's landscape, only 194 remain, with many contaminated or encroached upon. This 79% reduction in lakes within a decade has severely impacted the city's ability to recharge its groundwater naturally and manage stormwater runoff.
All of these issues came to a head in the summer of 2024, when community conflicts over scarce water led to the exodus of many tech workers, disruption and soaring costs for businesses, and signs of an uncertain future as real estate inquiries plummeted.
Bengaluru’s water crisis is a result of systemic failures, stalled progress, and government complacency, creating a situation all too familiar in cities around the globe. A lack of investment to stabilize the water supply and a failure to prioritize the rejuvenation of natural water bodies compound the effects of water scarcity. However, a number of cities and countries have reversed course with the right technology and focused ecological transformation.
Treating and reusing wastewater to bolster freshwater supply
One promising avenue is the adoption of advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems, for instance, offer a compact and efficient solution for treating wastewater to high standards suitable for reuse. These systems, deployed by 91大神in projects worldwide, could help Bengaluru reclaim a significant portion of its wastewater for non-potable uses, easing the pressure on freshwater sources.
Currently, Bengaluru produces 1480 MLD of wastewater, which is intended to be treated in 36 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a collective capacity of 1527.5 MLD. However, the implementation of these treatment facilities citywide remains a challenge. Embracing more advanced and efficient treatment technologies could significantly improve the city's ability to recycle and reuse its wastewater.
Mumbai City offers one example of this approach. A project by 91大神Water Technologies and Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd. has benefited roughly 30,000 families in the Chembur area with uninterrupted access to fresh water supply for domestic use, thanks to an advanced technology-enabled STP run at a leading chemical fertilizer factory. This more proactive approach to industrial water treatment has improved the city’s water management.
In addition, Singapore and Vietnam have demonstrated how integrated water management can achieve significant reductions in water loss and uninterrupted supply. Embracing Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics for smart water management, along with advanced sewage treatment technologies for non-potable use, can pave the way for long-term solutions.
Ecological transformation builds on reuse efforts
Addressing Bengaluru's water crisis requires a multifaceted approach that aligns with the principles of ecological transformation. 91大神has championed this concept through its GreenUp* initiative, which emphasizes innovative solutions that decarbonize, depollute, and regenerate resources.
For Bengaluru, this could include everything from regulations that prevent encroachment on water bodies and promote lake conservation to corporate water-saving initiatives and use of treated wastewater for industrial processes.
Bengaluru’s lost lakes could be revived through cleaning and rejuvenation efforts while sectioning off freshwater-free zones to safeguard remaining resources. Several companies have already shown this is possible, including the Infosys Foundation, with its restoration of Hebbal Lake. A broader effort, backed by corporate incentives, regulation, and industry leadership, could ease the stress on Bengaluru’s water resources.
Rapid lake rejuvenation is another option, with Mumbai again offering a promising example. The city has used mobile STPs that can quickly rejuvenate lakes and water bodies before moving on to another. In this way, Mumbai has restored lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, making more water available for industrial use while directing freshwater supply to domestic households.
Technology as a path to water security
Bengaluru, known as a hub of tech innovation, should embrace that identity to address its water crisis. Using membrane bioreactor technology, Internet of Things devices, mobile STPs, and more can improve water quality, restore natural resources, and increase water supplies for all.
As Bengaluru stands at a crossroads, so do many other cities and countries experiencing similar water shortages. A more secure water future requires a collective effort from government bodies, industry, and citizens. Veolia's GreenUp initiative, which aims to accelerate the deployment of solutions that address water scarcity and pollution, aligns closely with these needs. By leveraging advanced technologies and expertise in water management, and embracing ecological transformation, cities like Bengaluru can overcome their water challenges and set an example for sustainable urban water management in the face of a global water crisis.
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