The State Govt has ordered BBMP and BWSSB to implement RWH for 30*40 ft sites instantly

The water scarcity in the city of Bangalore has become a threat to its residents. Seeing the current situation of the city, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) has suggested some changes to the BBMP bylaws in regard to rainwater harvesting.

Currently, the system is a must for houses on plots measuring 60*40 ft and more and new buildings coming up on sites measuring 30*40 ft and more.

The BWSSB has made it compulsory for all buildings both old and new on sites containing 60*40 and above and buildings on sites holding 30*40 ft constructed after 2009 to hold rainwater harvesting system.

The government on Wednesday decided to amend the BWSSB Act-1964 to make it mandatory for sites of all dimensions in Bengaluru city to install RWH System. The issue was discussed in the cabinet meeting and a green signal was given keeping in mind the city’s Water Crisis.

Currently, Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) is mandatory for buildings constructed on sites measuring 60*40 sq.ft. A rule to this effect was passed in 2009 and the owners of all such sites were expected to install RWH system within a year. But even after 10-years, the number of 60*40 sites that have installed RWH is only 48,000. With Rain Water Harvesting not having implemented by the site owners citing space and cost constraints, the underground water table has not risen significantly.

The board adopted Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) for Apartments in Bangalore after the law was revised in 2011. According to section 72A of the BWSSB Act, every owner/occupant of a building having sital area of not less than 2,325 sq.ft sq.ft or anyone who intends to build a building on sital area of not less than 1162.5 sq.ft shall grant an RWH construction for storage/use/groundwater within such date as may be notified by the government.

As per BWSSB’s previous circular, Rain Water Harvesting was compulsory for sites holding more than 2325 sq.ft. While the board has now introduced to make it mandatory for sites holding more than 1162.5 sq.ft. 

They have sent the proposal to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) after being discussed during the coordination committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary T.M.Vijay Bhaskar recently.

This is the reason why the construction of new apartments in Bangalore has been stopped.

Image Sources: linberg