Bengaluru braces for 60-hour water supply disruption from September 15

Bengaluru is set to experience a major water supply disruption lasting 60 hours, beginning September 15, as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) undertakes urgent maintenance work on its pumping stations.

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The shutdown will extend from September 15 to 17 and will impact areas dependent on the Cauvery Water Supply Project. As part of the schedule, the Phase-1 and Phase-2 pumping stations under Cauvery Stages I, II, III, and IV will undergo maintenance between 6 am on September 16 and 6 am on September 17. The newly commissioned Cauvery Stage V will also be temporarily halted to facilitate this operation.

Maintenance crucial for continued efficiency

BWSSB has emphasized that the maintenance is crucial for the continued efficiency of pumping stations and major pipelines supplying the city. Bengaluru’s drinking water is sourced from a reservoir located nearly 90 kilometers away and at a significantly lower elevation. Transporting this water uphill consumes close to ₹3 crore daily in electricity, covering only half the city’s demand.

Currently, the Cauvery system supplies about 1,460 million litres per day (MLD) through its four operational stages. Stage V, once fully integrated, is expected to add an additional 750 MLD, though this will further increase the board’s electricity expenses.

With the impending shutdown, the BWSSB has urged residents to make prior arrangements and store adequate water to tide over the disruption period.