Karnataka govt to make rainwater usage mandatory

The Cabinet on Monday is said to have approved a new law that will mandate all large buildings in Bengaluru to use rainwater that is harvested.

According to sources, the Cabinet approved the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Amendment) Bill.

With this, all large buildings constructed in an area of 10,000 sq ft and above will have to compulsorily make use of harvested rainwater by installing a dual-pipe system.

At present, the BWSSB has already made rainwater harvesting mandatory for all buildings. However, a majority of them drain the collected rainwater leading to wastage of pure and clean water, according to BWSSB officials.

Speaking to DH, BWSSB chairman N Jayaram said, "Many buildings collect rainwater and then let it into the drain system. Not only is this a waste of pure water but we end up spending extra to treat this water as it is let into the drainage. To stop this, we are insisting on a dual-pipe system."

Accordingly, buildings will have to implement a two-pipe system, one for regular water and another that can be used for toilets, gardening and the like. The Bill, once passed, will be applicable to all new buildings, according to Jayaram.