A fallout of water scarcity in the city has been an increase in maintenance charges in housing societies and apartments. The irregular supply of water by BWSSB means that apartment associations have to pay for more tankers to deliver water to meet the needs of residents. Around 70-80% of maintenance charges go into buying water. Many apartment associations have increased maintenance fees while some others have cut down on services like cleaning of common areas and lawn maintenance.
An apartment complex on Hosur Road has hiked the maintenance charge from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per month. “The higher cost of water is the reason. There is hardly any supply of Cauvery water to the area this summer and we are buying water from tankers. The number of tanker loads has increased and we have to pay more for each tanker,” said Rajat Shukla, member of the apartment association.
Anand Murali, a resident of Mantri Elite on Bannerghatta Road said: “We do not have a hike in maintenance as maintenance has been paid in advance at the time of purchase of flats and the money allocated for maintenance cannot be hiked within one year. But, cleaning of floor has reduced. The apartment association keeps taps in open areas closed and lets out water only twice a week. Watering of gardens and lawns has almost stopped. Car cleaning is restricted.” Inmates at Damden Zephyr off Bannerghatta Road, pay a maintenance charge of Rs 2,000, most of which goes to ensure there is enough water, says a member of the apartment association. “There is hardly any money left for regular cleaning of common areas and for lawns. We have also put the swimming pool plan on hold.”