The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has reduced unaccounted-for water from nearly 51 per cent in 2013 to 26.5 per cent in 2025, improving efficiency across a metropolitan region of 14 mn people. The reduction has saved nearly 200 mn litres of water a day without requiring equivalent additional capacity.

Bengaluru depends primarily on the Cauvery river system, with water transported over 100 km to the city. BWSSB operates six major treatment plants with combined installed capacity of 2,293 MLD and supplies nearly 150 litres per person per day. The Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Stage V, commissioned in October 2024 with Japan International Cooperation Agency support, added 775 MLD, while Stage VI is under consideration with a proposed addition of 500 MLD.

Operational improvements have been supported by an Integrated Intelligent Water and Sewerage Management Centre at Shimsha Bhavan in Jayanagar. Developed with JICA support and implemented by Yokogawa India, the facility uses Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology to monitor treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs, sewerage systems and distribution networks. It processes more than 500,000 operational data points and uses forecasting tools to identify pressure anomalies and potential leakages.

BWSSB has also deployed pump-monitoring systems across 78 pumping stations and introduced the sensor-based iPumpNet platform. The measures have helped identify inefficient equipment and reduce electricity consumption, generating annual savings of more than Rs. 400 mn. Geographic Information System mapping has improved asset visibility, maintenance planning and the detection of probable unauthorised connections.

The utility is expanding smart metering for bulk users through a Public Private Partnership model and is integrating sewage treatment plants into the central monitoring system. Nearly 90 per cent of treated sewage is reused for non-potable purposes. A pilot at Kadubeesanahalli supplies nearly 70,000 litres of recycled water daily to commercial buildings and technology parks, while a World Bank-funded contract worth Rs. 3.8 bn will support four advanced wastewater treatment plants in Bommanahalli. BWSSB joined the Smart Water Networks Forum in 2025, adding international recognition to Bengaluru’s shift towards predictive operations and circular water management.