Rainwater harvesting to be made mandatory

Rainwater harvesting to be made mandatory
The Times of India

After much delay and deliberation, the state government is expected to pass a resolution in the Assembly under Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act to make it a byelaw for adopting rainwater harvesting in urban homes, commercial buildings and public buildings. There is some good news for residential building owners as they will be given 10 percent discount in property tax for harvesting rain.

According to sources in the Urban Development Department, `we have made a comprehensive proposal to safeguard the groundwater reserves under the new bill and soon the government would pass a legislation to add this new byelaw. It was proposed by Mines and Geology Department and even the BDA in the new draft CDP 2005 also proposed to the government to make rainwater harvesting mandatory while sanctioning building plans''.

`The depletion of ground water levels in last 10 years has been alarming. Under the present circumstances it was inevitable but to make provision for rainwater harvesting as a byelaw. In the case of a new home, investments in time, design and money are minimal. Those who have already built houses too can harvest rainwater by reworking sections of the roof. A community approach is required to adopt rainwater harvesting for apartment blocks,'' he said.

The initiative is already gaining momentum in Bangalore with several new houses and industries adopting the rainwater harvesting technology. However, it was felt that a government regulation was much needed. Rainwater harvesting also lessens local erosion and flooding caused by impervious cover such as pavement and roof. Thus, storm water run-off, the normal consequence of rainfall, which picks contaminants and degrades waterways and streams, become captured rainfall that can be put to productive use.