Only 1.55 lakh properties in Bengaluru have rainwater harvesting structures installed
The Hindu
Those who have complied demand that BWSSB incentivise them the along lines of Bescom’s initiative
Did Bengaluru miss the opportunity to harness rainwater in October when the city received ‘large excess’ of rain during the first half of the month? Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials admitted there are still thousands of properties that are yet to comply with the guidelines by installing rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures, either for storage or recharge of groundwater. As per the latest data, only 1.55 lakh properties in the city had RWH structures installed.
Rainwater harvesting was recently made mandatory for sites measuring 30ft x 40ft in the city after the Karnataka Legislative Assembly adopted the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill that seeks to harvest rainwater in the city. Prior to that, since August 2009, RWH had been mandatory only for sites measuring 60ft X 40ft and above.
As per the 2009 guidelines, the water utility can levy 50% of the bill as penalty for the first six months and 100% subsequently. The BWSSB is currently collecting ₹1.5 crore a month as penalty.