BANGALORE: If you are planning to book a flat, check if the builder has planned a mini sewage treatment plant (STP). Without the plant, the apartment may not get a water connection from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).

The board is considering a proposal to sanction water connections only if the apartments, which have more than 50 flats, have a treatment plant.

This is being done to encourage use of recycled water and to prevent wastage of drinking water.

According to a top official in BWSSB's Waste Water Management Cell, the new rule is likely to be imposed on all builders who have applied for water connections from August 1.

The State Government is planning to set up a committee comprising representatives from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), BWSSB, and the Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment, the official said.

This committee will inspect complexes under construction to check if they are following all the required norms, including setting up of a treatment plant, rainwater harvesting system and use of recycled water.

GO not enforced

Although the State Government issued a Government Order two years ago imposing a ban on the use of drinking water for non-potable purposes, most builders use potable water for construction.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, who have to issue the "no-objection certificate" and "occupancy certificates" to builders, have failed to enforce the rule.

Sources said the BWSSB realised that it needed to take stern action to enforce the use of recycled water.

BWSSB Chairman N.C. Muniyappa, who has discussed the issue with top authorities in Government, is planning to ensure that the new rule is implemented at the earliest.

BWSSB may launch a campaign to promote rainwater harvesting and to prevent overexploitation of groundwater. In two months, BWSSB will put in place a revolutionary scheme of harvesting rainwater by involving the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), various service providers and the Government. BWSSB is installing a rainwater-harvesting unit on its premises.

"We are planning awareness workshops for members of the public, NGOs, residents' welfare associations, corporate sector, developers, contractors and recognised plumbers in the city. This apart, we will train officials at the BWSSB to promote this technique," sources said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail