The state government is contemplating providing incentives to those installing rainwater harvesting systems in their residences and commercial complexes. The incentive is likely to be in the form of rebates in the water bills, BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said here on Saturday.
“The state government is already offering discounts in electricity bills for those who have installed solar water heaters. Likewise, those who have installed rainwater harvesting systems will also be provided rebates in the water bills,” Naidu explained, during a chat with mediapersons.
The government is mulling bill rebates in the backdrop of the excellent response elicited by its drive to promote rainwater harvesting.
In Bangalore alone, 2,317 buildings have installed rainwater harvesting systems over the past two months. The corresponding number for the entire state was 5,857, Naidu said.
He said a final decision on this would soon be taken at a meeting of the BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) and the same would be implemented at the earliest.
The government is also holding talks with all MLAs and examining legal options on making rainwater harvesting mandatory.
He expressed confidence that all the 5.85 lakh buildings in the city would install rainwater harvesting systems over the next one-and-a-half years. He said the government had launched a propaganda blitzkrieg and distributed handbills to three lakh building owners in this regard. Those refusing to fall in line would soon face the music, Naidu warned.
A helpdesk has been set up to help the public with queries on rainwater harvesting. It can be reached on 23341652, 23348848 and 23348849.
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