This is a live blog updating the efforts made to bring more Kaveri water to Westend Heights. Every kL of BWSSB water saves us Rs 55/-. Our sanctioned demand is 19.7 ML/month on full occupation. However we get a paltry 2-4 ML/month….and many times even less than 1 ML/month. A group of motivated residents took on the task to get more BWSSB(Kaveri) water to Westend Heights. Read in chronological order below.
Reduced consumption due to colder weather and vacation season. Prima facie, it appears to be a contributing factor, though not a major one. Closely looking, the consumption rate in first half of December (674 kL / day), when vacation season actually had not started, was already down from what it was in November (741 kL / day) and it actually went up in 2nd half of December (713 kL / day).
A saving of Rs 2.8 lakhs in utilities (Water + BESCOM), on account of water, water pumping and STP electricity.
On 1st Nov, Kannada Rajyotsava Day, some of us distributed small handouts to the social gathering creating awareness on Valve adjustments and the benefits it can bring. Sonal Sharma and Mohi supported the awareness event.
The awareness continued throughout November and as a result, our November 2018 consumption further reduced to 20.8 ML i.e. good 2 ML lesser than in Aug-Sept levels. BESCOM costs on water pumping and STP showed reduction.
Rigorous propagation of #SwalpaValveAdjustMaadi campaign on Social Media.
The campaign #SwalpaValveAdjustMaadi was accelerated in October. Many residents responded and it was the talk of the complex. The results were awaited. It was propagated hard in the Ladies Groups of Westend Heights by Shilpa Bejoria. I and Sonal Sharma could also do a door-to-door campaign in several flats and help residents adjust their valves. Several others helped propagate the word.
Link of another educational video made by Shilpa is not posted due to non-availability of its web link. Once available, it will be posted.
Around 10th October 2018, BWSSB fixed the new water meter.
BWSSB were clearly facing some hard facts from the Owners’ group in terms of the year-old petition by 470+ residents, the no-supply of water. BWSSB gave commitment (rather, reiterated) to deliver atleast 4-5 ML of water each month and cited constraints related to demand growth and static water supply until the “110 village scheme” is implemented. BWSSB was asked whether they know what the demand growth has been and they had absolutely no answer to that. The meeting ended with the commitment from BWSSB.
The results of the #SwalpaValveAdjustMaadi started coming. The fruit of labour started ripening. We were consuming 22.8 ML in Aug 2018, which in October, reduced to 21.5 ML. Over 1.3 ML / month saving and correspondingly, our BESCOM costs on water pumping and STP also showed signs of reduction.
The BWSSB tried to point fingers to faulty meter. After vigorous follow up, the BWSSB deployed resources to check the meter and it was found OK. Continuous follow up by Shilpa and aided by Kartikeya Khanna and Pracheer Singhal on email, chats and phone calls resulted in ~4 ML of water in 2018.
1. BWSSB expressed its inability to supply full quantum of water. Water can be supplied only twice a week to these new areas coming under CMC. However, they can increase the supply by 1-2 hours each day if incoming supply sufficient.
3. Water will come twice a week. Wed-9am to 2 pm and Sunday- 1 pm to 6 pm. They mentioned that supply may increase after summers.
4. Nagendra and Nagaraju were present and asked us to discuss the increase in entitlements and demands of apartment as well as the compensation for last 4 months in the next meeting with their executive,Gangadhar.
5. Another suggestion was made by a resident, Sanjeev in the meeting for getting borewell done inside Westend Heights apartment. BWSSB guys said that it can be done by filing application with Mines and Geology Dept and BWSSB for getting borewell inside Westend Heights.
Meeting ended in a cordial note and greetings exchanged.
Aug 2017 – First Success !!!
This was the time for collective action once more….and this time with bigger numbers. A petition drive was initiated and 10-15 volunteers went door to door in each tower. The master petition was submitted to AEE-S4 on 19th Aug 2017 with 447 petitioners support.
AEE-S4 acknowledged the petition and issued oral instructions to the AE (Kodichikkanahalli) to double the water supply with immediate effect. A major victory for WH residents and owners !!!
The next is to monitor the enhanced water supply and count reducing trend of tankers.
Possession for A block happened in Jan 2016 and for BC Blocks in Oct 2016. BWSSB gave final approval for all sanitary points in April 2017 and it was pity for Westend Heights once again when despite the Total approved demand of 19 ML (and demand of ~10 ML/month as per occupancy in June 2017), we were getting only 1-2 ML/month from BWSSB.
In July 2015, BWSSB makes unsubstantiated demand to replace 240 sq mm UnderGround Drainage Pipe (UGD) to 300 sq mm w/o technical basis. Also demands Rs ~10 lakhs. The water meter isnt installed. The Holy Cauvery is right at the gate of D-block, but not a drop of water in D-block yet !!!!