Water-Secure Living: Bengaluru Real Estate's New Mission

In an interaction with Jaipriya, Assistant Editor at Homes India, D Kishore Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Mana Projects, underscores Bengaluru’s pressing water challenges and discusses how real estate can pioneer water-secure communities.

With over a decade of successful ventures in the hospitality industry, D. Kishore Reddy launched this unique Mana Projects at the advent of this millennium. His basic and prime objective was to develop high-quality housing in Bengaluru with a focus on the ever-increasing needs and changing preferences of locals, as well as the lifestyle choices of new settlers in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru, once revered as the City of Lakes, is today confronted with one of its most pressing urban challenges, water scarcity. Rapid urbanization, exponential population growth, and shifting climate patterns have severely strained the city’s natural resources. Once home to over a thousand lakes, Bengaluru has lost a majority of them to encroachment and neglect, leaving borewells and tanker water as the city’s primary lifelines. With the population projected to cross 20 million by 2031, addressing water security is no longer optional; it is imperative for sustainable urban growth.

Dependence on Cauvery water and indiscriminate borewell drilling have created an unsustainable cycle. Groundwater levels have dropped to depths exceeding 1,000 feet in some areas, while many lakes have either dried up or turned into sewage receptacles. The result is seasonal water shortages, escalating costs, and growing pressure on civic infrastructure. Unless urgent steps are taken, Bengaluru risks facing a full-fledged urban water emergency that could impact both quality of life and economic competitiveness.

Bengaluru’s water challenge is formidable but solvable. Real estate developers, by adopting a proactive and integrated approach, can pioneer communities that are resilient, self-sufficient, and environmentally responsible.

Real Estate as a Catalyst for Change

The real estate sector, as a key driver of urban expansion, is uniquely positioned to reimagine Bengaluru’s water management landscape. Beyond compliance with regulatory norms, developers can embed water stewardship into the very blueprint of their projects. Sustainable water practices not only reduce operational risks but also enhance long-term value for homebuyers and investors.

Rainwater Harvesting as Core Infrastructure

Instead of treating rainwater harvesting as a regulatory formality, projects can deploy advanced capture and storage systems. Efficiently designed harvesting infrastructure ensures year-round benefits by reducing dependence on external supply.

Greywater Recycling for Everyday Efficiency

Integrating sewage treatment plants and greywater recycling allows communities to repurpose wastewater for landscaping, flushing, and cooling. This reduces freshwater consumption by up to 40–50 percent while lowering utility costs.

Smart Water Management Technologies

IoT-enabled meters and sensors can provide real-time insights into usage patterns, leakage points, and wastage. Such data-driven management encourages accountability and helps residents adopt responsible consumption habits.

Restoring Natural Ecosystems

The Right Life township’s lakeside setting helps regulate the microclimate, naturally reducing ambient temperatures and enriching community well-being. With an innovative onsite aquifer management system that enables groundwater recharge, the township reinforces its commitment to sustainable living. Its efforts in lake rejuvenation and stormwater channel restoration further restore ecological balance and create green recreational spaces, enhancing overall liveability.

Charting a Sustainable Future

Bengaluru’s water challenge is formidable but solvable. Real estate developers, by adopting a proactive and integrated approach, can pioneer communities that are resilient, self-sufficient, and environmentally responsible. Water secure projects not only safeguard the city’s future but also enhance brand credibility and buyer confidence in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.

Also Read: 5 Gated Communities Offering Premium Amenities in India

According to recent JLL reports, buyers are ready to pay a premium for smart properties that incorporate water-efficient and energy-efficient features. They are not only becoming eco-sensitive but also recognizing their financial viability in the long run, as energy-efficient properties also lower maintenance costs and energy consumption. A shift in preference towards gated communities and integrated townships is seen, as they often have the resources and scale to implement water management solutions to ensure a reliable water supply.

For Bengaluru, the path forward lies in harmonizing growth with ecological responsibility. If real estate embraces this responsibility, the city can transform its water crisis into an opportunity to reclaim its legacy as a city where innovation and sustainability thrive together.