Citizens feel threatened by BWSSB’s advertisement
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) advertisement in the newspaper about ‘Adopt rainwater harvesting – avoid water supply disconnection – avoid drought in future’ on December 18, has not gone down well with the citizens of Bangalore.
The water board which has set December 31 as the deadline for citizens to install their RWH structures had only got negative responses as citizens feel threatened by such advertisements.
Holistic approach needed
N Mukund Rao, member of Jayanagar 5th Block Residents’ Welfare Association says BWSSB should have a holistic approach instead of threatening residents to compulsorily install the RWH systems.
“The Board must ensure that RWH structures are installed in public places first instead of asking residents to take compulsory initiative. Adopting rainwater must be a voluntary decision which must not be enforced by any government agency,” he added.
Instead of harvesting rainwater on a city-wide basis through its network of stormwater drains, BWSSB is using limited resources by insisting every house with an area of 40X60 and above to compulsorily adopt rainwater, he added.
‘First, set utility line right’
BWSSB has to first set its utility line right and then insist on citizens’ participation said N S Mukunda, President of Citizens Action Forum.
“There are more than 1,000 kms of stormwater drain running across the City which has many illegal sewage connections and trunk sewer lines running along. “BWSSB must ensure only rainwater runs in storm water drain, collect them in a reservoir, treat them and supply back to the City,” he said.
Nearly 1,250 million litres of water can be saved and used if the Board streamlines their utilities, Mukunda added.
