An urban water scenario: a case study of the Bangalore metropolis, Karnataka, India

The study highlights the potable water supply and demand of the city of Bangalore (India), and the consequent groundwater pumping within the city and its suburbs. The metropolis is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia and causing severe strain on the basic infrastructure. The growth has great impact on potable water and the demand for water has outstripped the supply. Water supply from all surface sources including the river water supply is 570 million litres per day and an equal amount of groundwater is exploited from both domestic and agricultural wells to meet the shortage, resulting in a water market, which is rampant in the study area. The study reveals that groundwater exploitation is greater than recharge. Hence, alternate sources such as rainwater harvesting and recycling of wastewater are suggested to relieve the pressure on groundwater abstraction before the city faces a bleak water resource situation.