RWH: 'no' won't do for MCC

When Mysore City Corporation made it mandatory for the prospective houses to accommodate rain water harvesting system failing which they would not be issued ‘Completion Reports’ (CR), many thought it may turn out to be a damp squib.

But, over a period of time, MCC has left no stone unturned to ensure that the houses constrcuted after the order was passed had Rain Water Harvesting System. Even with a handful of people implementing this system, Mysore has been saving a good 30 lakh liters of water annually.

Mysore is among select cities which has made rain water harvesting mandatory in new constructions, especially residential buildings.

“Rain Water Harvesting is a highly efficient solution for water problems. And, most people have already understood its benefits,” says Commissioner of MCC, K S Raykar.

According to him, the educated ones know it better since they are fascinated with eco-friendly solutions, which is a way works better for the nature too!

Solution

And, those who do not understand RWH system, will be convinced about it being a highly efficient solution to their water woes. “They like the fact that they can use water straight as nature gives it,” says Shashidhar, Joint Director, Town Planning.

With strict rules in place, has MCC ever denied issuing of Completion Report to the house owners for not including RWH in their buildings/houses?

“No, in most cases people have complied with the RWH norms; though they are tempted to deviate from original plan as far as other parts of the house are concerned. With RWH, they are more than willing,” Shashidhar adds.

In the recent days, MCC has put a stop on issuing of CRs since last one year owing to certain reasons. In the interim period, about 12 huge housing complexes and apartments were issued completion reports.

“Out of one dozen complexes that were issues the certification, two projects were from earlier years, before RWH became a norm. However, in the other buildings, we did insist that RWH be an integral part of the neccessary amenities in the building,” said Shashidhar. Economical solutions that are being offered to create a RWH system are another reason why people won’t mess with it too much.

“When compared to the larger picture of building a house, there is very little cost that you seperately spend on RWH. With this affordability, both educated and not-so-educated also opt for it.

And of course, media has played a larger role in publicising the benefits of this system,” says Raykar.

“The system we insist on, does not cost more than Rs 1,500 to create it. So, it is really an efficient way of managing water resources without burning a hole in your pocket,” says Shashidhar.

Being one of the few cities which has made RWH system mandatory for buildings, Mysore is also aiming at optimum use of solar water heating units. If the citizens wish, soon Mysore can be India’s first ‘green city’ which fends for its energy needs with natural means.

Facts about rain water harvesting

* Every household in Mysore can save and store about 60,000 - 80,000 liters water during rainy season. This is enough to meet the needs of a family of four such as drinking, cooking and bathing.

* Rainwater harvesting sumps can be constructed alongside the normal sumps that houses have.

* Most easiest way of creating additional storage units is to use huge cement pipes to the desired height and close them with robust cement lids.