BENGALURU: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is contemplating taking the reward route to popularise implementation of rainwater harvesting: It may give 5 percent discount on monthly water bills to properties with RWH facilities.
The idea was brainstormed on Saturday during a virtual session titled ‘Catch the Rain, Bengaluru’ organised by National Water Mission, BWSSB and Biome Environmental. The rebate on water bill, if offered, will be on the lines of the concession being extended by BBMP on property tax paid before the due date, and is expected to encourage more property owners to install RWH systems.
National Water Mission director G Asok Kumar mooted the idea and BWSSB chairman N Jayaram responded, stating the proposal will be taken up for discussion at the next board meeting.
BWSSB till now provides an appreciation certificate to those implementing RWH. Jayaram said, “BBMP provides 5% rebate on property tax if it is paid early in the financial year and in the same way, we could also see what can be done to promote RWH.”
While Bengaluru’s dependence on Cauvery river and other sources for water has resulted in losses for BWSSB, Jayaram said RWH can really help the city. Giving an example, he said it takes Rs 95 to supply 1,000 litres of Cauvery water to Bengaluru, while only Rs seven is collected from citizens for the same. He added exponential growth of the city will pose a challenge if RWH is not implemented with citizens’ active participation.
According to Jayaram, Cauvery water is brought to the city from 90km away. About 1,440MLD is being supplied to Bengaluru and additional ground water of 600 MLD is drawn.
BM Somashekar, chief engineer of the board, said despite the number of rainy days having come down in the city, Bengaluru continues to receive 850mm rainfall annually. But very little is being saved and reused. The board has brought in many awareness programmes to promote RWH, including taking citizens and students to Sir M Visvesvaraya Rain Water Harvesting Theme Park.
According to BWSSB, Bengaluru spans about 800sqkm, but BWSSB jurisdiction is 570sqkm as of now, serving a population of 80.5 lakh, while others continue to depend on water tankers, especially those living in apartments. Average per capita consumption of water in Bengaluru is about 65 lakh litres a day.
Somashekar said BWSSB has about 8,000 active borewells in the city, but many are drying up during summer. He added they have about 27 RWH models for citizens, which can not only help them reuse water but recharge borewells too. Kumar said training plumbers can make a big difference.
Some residents who have implemented RWH shared their experiences, saying how they don’t have to rely on water tankers and BWSSB. Ashok Mrityunjaya, a resident of Aditi Elite apartment in Bellandur, said the complex did not have a BWSSB connection and was dependent on tankers. But after implementing RWH and digging borewells to recharge water, they have been able to sustain for almost one year.
