Over 39,000 residential buildings regularly fined by BWSSB for failing to implement rainwater harvesting
In 2009, the water supply board ordered that it was mandatory to either recharge rainwater or store it in a sump or a tank, for new residences constructed on a 30x40 ft site
Despite several awareness programmes and penalisation by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the residents of Bengaluru remain reluctant when it comes to implementing rainwater harvesting (RWH) owing to infrastructure constraints.
According to the latest data provided by BWSSB, 1,96,591 residential buildings have implemented RWH systems and 39,213 buildings have not, despite being penalised every month. Since July 2016, the Board has been collecting ₹1.98 crore – ₹2 crore as penalty for nonimplementation of RWH in residential buildings, every month.
In 2009, the Board ordered that it was mandatory to either recharge groundwater table by harvesting rainwater or store it in a sump or a tank, for new residences constructed on a 30x40 feet site. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Act, 2021 made it compulsory for even old constructions on 60x40 feet and above sites to install RWH systems. “People are ready to pay penalty, but not to implement RWH systems,” said Sanath Kumar, Additional Chief Engineer, Quality and Assurance Department, BWSSB. He said that while newer residences are more compliant with the rules as their plans do not get sanctioned without RWH, it is the older building owners who are more reluctant.
“The ones who had built houses before the rules came into place, usually say that they have space constraints as they had already constructed the house on the entire site with no empty space for RWH. We are trying to educate them. Even then, some people neglect it and keep paying penalty,” Mr. Kumar added.
With more awareness, BWSSB officials expect more implementation of RWH systems in the city going forward. “Under new rules which are in effect from March 15, we do not allow people to drill borewells if they do not have RWH systems,” Mr. Kumar said.
As Bengaluru battles water crisis currently, residents who had previously installed RWH systems vouch for its benefits. “Since the construction of our house, we are harvesting rainwater, ensuring a consistent water supply despite the persistent water scarcity in surrounding areas. We have been living here for more than a decade and have never had to call for a water tanker or depend on Cauvery water supply,” said Gururaj B., a resident of R.R. Nagar.