Alarming Facts About Water Usage In Bangalore,More than 28% of those surveyed felt that ‘individual efforts to save water do not work’.
India, Republic of (Press Release) April 23, 2008 --
BANGALORE, 23rdt April 2008: Residents of Bangalore overwhelmingly support conserving water, but actually do very little to save water! This is just one of the key findings from the first in the series of surveys titled ‘BCIL ECO-PULSE’, conducted by Biodiversity Conservation [India] Limited (BCIL), a pioneer in alternate technologies, dedicated to urban eco-habitats creation. The survey, aimed at understanding the behavioral pattern and attitude towards Water Conservation was conducted among 400 respondents in Bangalore in the age group of 21 to 50 years. 60% of those surveyed were Graduates or Post-Graduates with household income levels of more than Rs. 20,000 per month.
28% of the respondents felt that individual efforts at conserving water were of no use. While a large number of respondents seemingly understand the importance of water conservation, there is very little that they actually do towards water conservation! For Example, out of all those who stated that individual efforts could make a difference, a whopping 85% do not reuse water at all!
Mr. Chandrashekar Hariharan, CEO, BCIL, said, “The findings are not an exception to Bangalore’s citizens alone. Demand for water is inelastic. It is difficult for people to adopt measures which will reflect a drop in water use. What is important is to not look for restraints from water-users, as much as for urban planning experts in Government and the building industry to devise measures that can reduce use of fresh water while enhancing systems for water reuse.”
“There are many techniques and tools that can help conserve water: low-flow showers and taps at homes, swimming pools that avoid evaporation and therefore replenishments, and so on. There are, of course, simple things you can do at home like avoiding running water while shaving or washing; being conscious of the water we use for washing vessels; if we can use our washing machines only once or twice a week; if we can fix dripping taps and leaking lines…”, Mr. Hariharan added.
The survey reveals that 64% of the respondents in Bangalore spend more than Rs.200 on water every month, with 12% spending in excess of Rs. 500. A major share of the water usage goes for basic chores like washing clothes, bathing, washing utensils, toilet-flushing and mopping.
Though only 25% of the respondents have said that they use the shower to take bath 89% of them use the shower for more than 10 minutes. 51% of them actually claim to use the shower for more than 20 minutes. The survey reveals that washing clothes is the biggest water user in most of the respondent households. The results show that out of the 222 respondents who use the washing machine 48% wash with the washing machine filled only to half-capacity and 12% use the machine to wash even 2-3 clothes.
24% of the respondents tend to spend more water during summer, Another example of respondents whose action does not compliment their words, is found in the fact that 18% of those who say their efforts help solve the city’s water crisis actually spend more water during summer! And more than half, 53%, continue to use the same amount of water during summer also.
The BCIL survey also showed that there are people in our city who care for these things; 15% of the respondents said they reuse water, and 23% consciously reduce usage of water during summer. 58% of those surveyed depend solely on BWSSB for their water while 29% get water from both BWSSB and borewells. 10% of the respondents depend solely on borewells for water supply.
“It is a known fact that Cauvery water feeds less than one-third of the entire need of the city. 70% of the need is met from out of groundwater resources with borewells accounting for nearly 15% of the city’s demand. The Groundwater table in Bangalore has dramatically depleted – from about 200 feet in 1980 to nearly 700 feet in certain parts like Hoskote.” Mr. Hariharan remarked. “The good news is, with some very simple harvesting systems that can re-charge open wells in your homes or apartment blocks, you can achieve self-sufficiency in most cases with little reliance on deep borewells or on the Municipal water supply,” he said. “It is only natural that citizens perceive restrictions on water use to be an intrusion into their personal lifestyles. We need to change the way we think about water. Water is not about water in itself, as they say, it is about water management.”
This is the first of the series of surveys which is to be conducted by BCIL to reveal less known facts / insights / alarming facts about Bangalore and its citizens. The forthcoming surveys in the ‘BCIL ECO-PULSE’ series will focus on Energy Conservation, Waste Management, Air Quality, etc., all of which, are causes that BCIL is crusading for, by building homes that are Water and Energy Positive, while being sensitive to most conservation related parameters.
The complete set of findings of ‘BCILECO-PULSE’, is available on request.
About BCIL:
Biodiversity Conservation [India] Limited is an alternate technology enterprise dedicated to creative ‘green’ solutions for urban living. BCIL has grown from Rs. 20 million in 1995 to Rs. 800 million in 2008, offering housing solutions that are pioneering, and demonstrable models for the future. BCIL is more a prototype company, with building innovations that raise environment thresholds with every new project it creates. From 20 homes in a year, BCIL has grown to 150 houses a year in 2007, all of them with no compromise on the green values.
BCIL mainstreams ecologically sustainable real estate options for urban home-buyers — with focus on localized energy generation; water solutions that reduce/eliminate dependence on State infrastructure; waste management systems that ensure residential communities take responsibility for responsible disposal or reuse. BCIL is also into creation of green tourism destinations that are grid-free on energy, water-positive in the long term, and built with building methods and values that are energy-efficient and offering the best in urban convenience. BCIL is a for-profit company managed by professionals with all earnings going entirely towards sustainable projects that drive solutions for urban living with affordable homes offered to the public. Please visit www.ecobcil.com for more information on BCIL
28% of the respondents felt that individual efforts at conserving water were of no use. While a large number of respondents seemingly understand the importance of water conservation, there is very little that they actually do towards water conservation! For Example, out of all those who stated that individual efforts could make a difference, a whopping 85% do not reuse water at all!
Mr. Chandrashekar Hariharan, CEO, BCIL, said, “The findings are not an exception to Bangalore’s citizens alone. Demand for water is inelastic. It is difficult for people to adopt measures which will reflect a drop in water use. What is important is to not look for restraints from water-users, as much as for urban planning experts in Government and the building industry to devise measures that can reduce use of fresh water while enhancing systems for water reuse.”
“There are many techniques and tools that can help conserve water: low-flow showers and taps at homes, swimming pools that avoid evaporation and therefore replenishments, and so on. There are, of course, simple things you can do at home like avoiding running water while shaving or washing; being conscious of the water we use for washing vessels; if we can use our washing machines only once or twice a week; if we can fix dripping taps and leaking lines…”, Mr. Hariharan added.
The survey reveals that 64% of the respondents in Bangalore spend more than Rs.200 on water every month, with 12% spending in excess of Rs. 500. A major share of the water usage goes for basic chores like washing clothes, bathing, washing utensils, toilet-flushing and mopping.
Though only 25% of the respondents have said that they use the shower to take bath 89% of them use the shower for more than 10 minutes. 51% of them actually claim to use the shower for more than 20 minutes. The survey reveals that washing clothes is the biggest water user in most of the respondent households. The results show that out of the 222 respondents who use the washing machine 48% wash with the washing machine filled only to half-capacity and 12% use the machine to wash even 2-3 clothes.
24% of the respondents tend to spend more water during summer, Another example of respondents whose action does not compliment their words, is found in the fact that 18% of those who say their efforts help solve the city’s water crisis actually spend more water during summer! And more than half, 53%, continue to use the same amount of water during summer also.
The BCIL survey also showed that there are people in our city who care for these things; 15% of the respondents said they reuse water, and 23% consciously reduce usage of water during summer. 58% of those surveyed depend solely on BWSSB for their water while 29% get water from both BWSSB and borewells. 10% of the respondents depend solely on borewells for water supply.
“It is a known fact that Cauvery water feeds less than one-third of the entire need of the city. 70% of the need is met from out of groundwater resources with borewells accounting for nearly 15% of the city’s demand. The Groundwater table in Bangalore has dramatically depleted – from about 200 feet in 1980 to nearly 700 feet in certain parts like Hoskote.” Mr. Hariharan remarked. “The good news is, with some very simple harvesting systems that can re-charge open wells in your homes or apartment blocks, you can achieve self-sufficiency in most cases with little reliance on deep borewells or on the Municipal water supply,” he said. “It is only natural that citizens perceive restrictions on water use to be an intrusion into their personal lifestyles. We need to change the way we think about water. Water is not about water in itself, as they say, it is about water management.”
This is the first of the series of surveys which is to be conducted by BCIL to reveal less known facts / insights / alarming facts about Bangalore and its citizens. The forthcoming surveys in the ‘BCIL ECO-PULSE’ series will focus on Energy Conservation, Waste Management, Air Quality, etc., all of which, are causes that BCIL is crusading for, by building homes that are Water and Energy Positive, while being sensitive to most conservation related parameters.
The complete set of findings of ‘BCILECO-PULSE’, is available on request.
About BCIL:
Biodiversity Conservation [India] Limited is an alternate technology enterprise dedicated to creative ‘green’ solutions for urban living. BCIL has grown from Rs. 20 million in 1995 to Rs. 800 million in 2008, offering housing solutions that are pioneering, and demonstrable models for the future. BCIL is more a prototype company, with building innovations that raise environment thresholds with every new project it creates. From 20 homes in a year, BCIL has grown to 150 houses a year in 2007, all of them with no compromise on the green values.
BCIL mainstreams ecologically sustainable real estate options for urban home-buyers — with focus on localized energy generation; water solutions that reduce/eliminate dependence on State infrastructure; waste management systems that ensure residential communities take responsibility for responsible disposal or reuse. BCIL is also into creation of green tourism destinations that are grid-free on energy, water-positive in the long term, and built with building methods and values that are energy-efficient and offering the best in urban convenience. BCIL is a for-profit company managed by professionals with all earnings going entirely towards sustainable projects that drive solutions for urban living with affordable homes offered to the public. Please visit www.ecobcil.com for more information on BCIL
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