‘Rain water harvesting must for new houses from Nov 1’
Rs 10,000 cash prize for citizens who provide a best model
As water woes multiply, the State government has begun an incentive-based scheme, coupled with stringent laws, to encourage rain water harvesting.
From November 1, Bangaloreans will have to ensure that their new homes have a proper rain water harvesting system. According to an announcement made at a public meeting by Minister for IT-BT, Information and BWSSB Katta Subramanaya Naidu, the city will see houses on a 30 x 40 sq ft site making mandatory provisions for rain water harvesting system.
On the other hand, BWSSB will begin an incentivising scheme by introducing a lottery-based cash prize for Rs 10,000 to five citizens, who would provide best models of rain water harvesting.
The minister also announced that monetary and material support will be provided for community rain water harvesting, if the people evinced interest.
Talking tough, Katta Subramanaya Naidu said that strict action will be initiated against those who do not take steps to prevent sewerage contaminating drinking water. So much so, the erring citizens will have their water and power supply disconnected.
At a public meeting in the City Naidu said,“ The onus is on everybody to save water. Implementation of rain water harvesting will increase the ground water table level in the city, and thereby help resolve water problems in the City.”
Dr Shivshankar, scientist from Karnataka State Science and Technology Department, presented a detailed plan about rain water harvesting to citizens.
He explained the construction of rain water harvesting system at home, with used pipes and buckets. He also informed that they could provide three layers of mesh and collect rain water in their overhead tanks.
This apart, he appealed to the people to use defunct and dried up wells to collect rain water.
