RWH will be made mandatory

For, the Legislative Assembly, on Thursday, approved the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) bill, 2009, which makes it mandatory to the building owners to adopt rainwater harvesting technic mandatory within nine months from the date of both Houses of State Legislature putting their stamp of approval.

The government, in fact, wanted to make it mandatory to all buildings constructed on 30x40 and above dimension sites in Bangalore.

And had even tabled the bill accordingly. But the Congress and the JD(S) members opposed it saying hundreds of people belonging to the low-income group and who own a house, may not be able to afford rainwater harvesting technic. To adopt the technique, one needs to spend at least Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.

No problems

The opposition members instead asked the government to make it mandatory to houses already constructed on 60x40 and above dimension sites. They, however, had no problem in making rain water harvesting mandatory to new buildings coming up on 30x40 and above dimension sites.

Bangalore Water Supply Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, while seeking the approval of the House to the bill, said only 850 MLD water is available for Bangalore, while the actual requirement was 1,250 MLD.

As per the final award of the Cauvery River Water Dispute Tribunal, Bangalore can draw additional 500 MLD of water from Cauvery river. So harvesting rain water is a must, he stated.