Bengaluru: Use Of Drinking Water In Swimming Pools Banned, Rs 5,000 Fine On Violation Amid Crisis

The Bengaluru water board has banned the use of drinking water in swimming pools and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 incase the order is violated.

Amid the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has prohibited the use of drinking water in swimming pools.  As a result, the swimming pools across the city will have to be shut temporarily as the pools cannot be filled using treated water to avoid any hygiene-related concerns. The board will impose a fine of Rs 5,000 if the order is violated. An additional fine of Rs 500 will be imposed along with Rs 5,000 on repeat violators, Deccan Herald reported.

As per reports, the order was passed by the BWSSB utilising the powers vested with the board under the BWSSB Act, 1964. BWSSB chairman, Dr Ramprasat Manohar V stated that the order was passed since there was a dire need to save groundwater and Cauvery water. "Given the crisis, we will have to ration the available water and hence the order," Deccan Herald quoted him saying.

President of the Karnataka Swimming Association, Gopal Hosur stated that the move will affect sports and fitness enthusiasts. Calling it a misconception that swimming pool water is changed every day he stated: "only a part of it is refilled and we will be able to use the same water for nearly a month. Hence, a few swimming pools might stay open a little longer but many of them will have to be shut down eventually if the ban continues."

He also added that the ban would affect several businesses since they would have planned summer camps and coaching classes, Deccan Herald reported.

Hosur stated that the move will also impact sports persons who are preparing for the Olympics and other events. "Swimmers from across the country come to Bengaluru to improve their skills. A closure will affect their practice," Deccan Herald quoted him saying.

However, after these concerns were brought to light, BWSSB excluded sports facilities from shutting down swimming pools.

Last week, the Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board banned the use of drinking water for gardening, car washing, road maintenance, construction, and water fountains. The board also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 in case of order's violation.

Bengaluru is facing a water crisis after the monsoon failure in September last year induced severe drought in the state, affecting 195 taluks, including areas of Bengaluru. The numbers however rose to 216 out of 236 taluks in Karnataka, encompassing Mysuru and Mandya districts.