Bangalore:
While Bangalore battles water shortage, there are positive stories too. In this ongoing special series on Bangalore's great water challenge, NDTV reports on how the administration is trying to enthuse residents and empower the city's huge water workforce, to adopt the rainwater harvesting route to water conservation.
Power Point presentations and a daylong workshop were organized for Bangalore's plumbers, the city's new water warriors.
Through them, the city plans to meet its May 27 deadline: A date by which every existing building or house measuring 40 by 60 square feet or more, and every new construction standing on 30 by 40 square feet and more, will have to compulsorily harvest rainwater failing which, water supply to the building or house will be stopped.
''Plumbers already know most of what is being taught. They only need to grasp the new technology," said Nayak, plumber.
''We want to enthuse people. That's why we have created a helpdesk, then we trained plumbers, and we are moving into various wards, we are taking help of new Corporators. The response has been extremely good," said P B Ramamurthy, Chairman, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
This move holds the promise of making the water scarce city water sufficient.
"''Bangalore is a tailor-made city for rainwater harvesting - undulating landscape, rain is spread throughout the year, 60-70 rainy days per year, 1000 mm of rainfall, and the soil structure holds lot of water. Plenty of water that can be tapped," said Dr Shivakumar, Rainwater Harvesting Expert.
It also brings in huge business opportunity: Each house will spend between 5,000 rupees and 30,000 rupees to install the system.
''More than 30-40% sites in Bangalore are 2400 square feet and above. Definitely for plumbers, contractors, they can go directly into this the business," said Kiran, cement seller.
It's one thing for rainwater harvesting to be made compulsory as per law but Bangaloreans will have to truly believe in it as a tool to conserve precious rainwater for their own good.