Water Supply

In any riparian dispute, the contending parties each try to 'win', through a decision that is favourable to them. This is understandable - we all want victory on our part of the river (upstream or downstream), and politicians want to show that their side is winning. In Maharashtra, we see this happening within the state itself. But this kind of stance distracts the attention of both sides from the real long-term solutions that they can pursue TOGETHER, in ways that BOTH WILL BENEFIT. That is the key to the solution. In my view there are four things that can be…

In any riparian dispute, the contending parties each try to 'win', through a decision that is favourable to them. This is understandable - we all want victory on our part of the river (upstream or downstream), and politicians want to show that their side is winning. In Maharashtra, we see this happening within the state itself. But this kind of stance distracts the attention of both sides from the real long-term solutions that they can pursue TOGETHER, in ways that BOTH WILL BENEFIT. That is the key to the solution. In my view there are four things that can be…

Can Bengaluru work towards getting back to its openwells? This is the story of a community (Adarsh Palm Retreat near Devarabeesanahalli Lake) near a lake that is looking to use an open well as one of its sources of water. Do watch the video Bengaluru (and other growing cities) are increasingly dependent on groundwater. In current time, borewells, are a very important source of water. Bengaluru now needs to manage its grounwater sustainably. While the city suffers from drying and dying borewells there are also pockets where water tables are shallow. We need to understand this and become stewards of…

Can Bengaluru work towards getting back to its openwells? This is the story of a community (Adarsh Palm Retreat near Devarabeesanahalli Lake) near a lake that is looking to use an open well as one of its sources of water. Do watch the video Bengaluru (and other growing cities) are increasingly dependent on groundwater. In current time, borewells, are a very important source of water. Bengaluru now needs to manage its grounwater sustainably. While the city suffers from drying and dying borewells there are also pockets where water tables are shallow. We need to understand this and become stewards of…

My maid was talking to me, and telling me about the water situation in her home.  "We pay Rs. 5 per pot or Rs. 15 for a 'can' of water (referring to the large container of water that we often invert into our dispensers). We get 3 per week," she said. Then she laughed and said, "For the same can, you flat people pay Rs. 50!" Water is now a commercial commodity everywhere, and the rates we pay seem to vary widely according to our economic status. The sad part is that one never knows whether this water is indeed…

My maid was talking to me, and telling me about the water situation in her home.  "We pay Rs. 5 per pot or Rs. 15 for a 'can' of water (referring to the large container of water that we often invert into our dispensers). We get 3 per week," she said. Then she laughed and said, "For the same can, you flat people pay Rs. 50!" Water is now a commercial commodity everywhere, and the rates we pay seem to vary widely according to our economic status. The sad part is that one never knows whether this water is indeed…

Water Metering is an often discussed topic, and apartment metering, even more so, due to the complications rising out of multiple inlets. There have been a few and often spoken about apartments that have implemented metering at a household level - namely Nestor Raga, Ashoka Windows, Samhita Square etc. We came across this plumber—Krishnamoorthy—who in the meanwhile has implemented metering in multiple apartments. Here is the complete list. The largest is an apartment in Hyderabad - 800+ homes!!! We are also impressed with the fact that he has diligently maintained a list of all apartments where he has worked. A…

Water Metering is an often discussed topic, and apartment metering, even more so, due to the complications rising out of multiple inlets. There have been a few and often spoken about apartments that have implemented metering at a household level - namely Nestor Raga, Ashoka Windows, Samhita Square etc. We came across this plumber—Krishnamoorthy—who in the meanwhile has implemented metering in multiple apartments. Here is the complete list. The largest is an apartment in Hyderabad - 800+ homes!!! We are also impressed with the fact that he has diligently maintained a list of all apartments where he has worked. A…

Smart technology can only be as smart as the people who use it, otherwise it only ends up as another fancy gadget in the house! As S Vishwanath, a water expert says, Smart cities is the mantra of our times with a 100 slated to roll out in India. Ideological debates rage over how to define ‘smart’ and whether technology is what makes for ‘smart.’ Barring the debate, a peculiar way though would be to say that smart people make smart cities. And technology can indeed play an important role to aid people in making ‘smart’ informed decisions, especially about responsible…

Smart technology can only be as smart as the people who use it, otherwise it only ends up as another fancy gadget in the house! As S Vishwanath, a water expert says, Smart cities is the mantra of our times with a 100 slated to roll out in India. Ideological debates rage over how to define ‘smart’ and whether technology is what makes for ‘smart.’ Barring the debate, a peculiar way though would be to say that smart people make smart cities. And technology can indeed play an important role to aid people in making ‘smart’ informed decisions, especially about responsible…