The State Government of Karanataka on 14th September 2021 has notified a bill to further amend the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1964. The main object and reason for the amendment is to reduce the flow of stormwater drains and to manage the summer peak demand through groundwater charging and groundwater table or aquifer and to provide freshwater source through rainwater harvesting, where the groundwater quality is poor.
Through this amendment section 72A which deals with obligations to provide rainwater harvesting structure has been substituted as follows:
Every owner who proposes to construct a building on a sital area of not less than 108 square meter shall provide rain water harvesting structure for storage, for use or for ground water recharge in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be provided in the regulations and guidelines issued by the Board.
Every owner or occupier of a building having sital area of not less than 216 square meter and not more than 1000 square meter, who has not provided rain water harvesting structure before the commencement of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Act, 2021, shall provide rainwater harvesting structure for storage, for use and for ground water recharge subject to such conditions as may be specified in the regulations.
Further, Every owner who proposes to construct a building on sital area of not less than 1000 square meter or a owner or occupier of a building having sital area of not less than 1000 square meter shall provide dual piping system and rain water harvesting structure for storage and for use, other than drinking, cooking and bathing purpose, based on roof area and ground water recharge based on paved and unpaved areas in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be provided in the regulations and guidelines issued by the Board.
