<p>Out of 55,000 and odd houses, including those constructed on 60X40 site and new houses built on 30X40 sites, the Board has succeeded in installing rainwater harvesting system only in 28,173 houses.</p>.<p>With December 31 being the deadline, the BWSSB wants to hasten the work by convincing the public to opt for the system.</p>.<p>Unlike the last time when the Board issued notices along with water bills, this time the BWSSB is planning to visit individual houses and discuss the benefits of installing RWH with the residents, said a BWSSB official. </p>.<p>A rule book<br /></p>.<p>“A handbook containing guidelines and information about the RWH system will be handed over to residents during our visit,” he said.</p>.<p>Lack of awareness and scepticism among residents on the benefits and costs involved in installation of RWH are the hurdles in successful implementation of the scheme. Though, the BWSSB has tied up with a few banks to provide loans, which can be repaid in 60 instalments, not many people have come forward, the official added.</p>.<p>In order to encourage people to opt for RWH system and disseminate information on the same, the BWSSB has set up a theme park, which has so far seen nearly 900 visitors, including schoolchildren.<br /><br />It is saddening that despite more than 30 awareness programmes being conducted and over 1,000 plumbers being trained in installing RWH, there is hardly any increase in the number of people adopting rainwater harvesting system, noted the official. <br /><br />Of the 2,500 government structures identified for the installation of RWH, only 100 buildings have adopted the RWH system so far. Even the chief minister’s directive has failed to give a fillip to the campaign.<br /><br />“The deadline for installing the RWH system has been set for December 31. Stringent action in terms of disconnecting water and sewer lines shall be taken if the deadline is not met,” said BWSSB Chairman P B Ramamurthy.</p>.<p>Be ready to pay more for water</p>.<p>The Bescom decision to increase the power tariff will have a cascading effect on water tariff as well.<br /><br />BWSSB Chairman Ramamurthy said that Bescom has proposed an additional 88 paise per unit of power. It will take BWSSB’s burden on per unit of power to Rs 4.68. “We have worked out our proposal to increase the water tariff and submitted it to the government. Once the power tariff hike is announced, water tariff hike will follow,” added Ramamurthy.</p>
<p>Out of 55,000 and odd houses, including those constructed on 60X40 site and new houses built on 30X40 sites, the Board has succeeded in installing rainwater harvesting system only in 28,173 houses.</p>.<p>With December 31 being the deadline, the BWSSB wants to hasten the work by convincing the public to opt for the system.</p>.<p>Unlike the last time when the Board issued notices along with water bills, this time the BWSSB is planning to visit individual houses and discuss the benefits of installing RWH with the residents, said a BWSSB official. </p>.<p>A rule book<br /></p>.<p>“A handbook containing guidelines and information about the RWH system will be handed over to residents during our visit,” he said.</p>.<p>Lack of awareness and scepticism among residents on the benefits and costs involved in installation of RWH are the hurdles in successful implementation of the scheme. Though, the BWSSB has tied up with a few banks to provide loans, which can be repaid in 60 instalments, not many people have come forward, the official added.</p>.<p>In order to encourage people to opt for RWH system and disseminate information on the same, the BWSSB has set up a theme park, which has so far seen nearly 900 visitors, including schoolchildren.<br /><br />It is saddening that despite more than 30 awareness programmes being conducted and over 1,000 plumbers being trained in installing RWH, there is hardly any increase in the number of people adopting rainwater harvesting system, noted the official. <br /><br />Of the 2,500 government structures identified for the installation of RWH, only 100 buildings have adopted the RWH system so far. Even the chief minister’s directive has failed to give a fillip to the campaign.<br /><br />“The deadline for installing the RWH system has been set for December 31. Stringent action in terms of disconnecting water and sewer lines shall be taken if the deadline is not met,” said BWSSB Chairman P B Ramamurthy.</p>.<p>Be ready to pay more for water</p>.<p>The Bescom decision to increase the power tariff will have a cascading effect on water tariff as well.<br /><br />BWSSB Chairman Ramamurthy said that Bescom has proposed an additional 88 paise per unit of power. It will take BWSSB’s burden on per unit of power to Rs 4.68. “We have worked out our proposal to increase the water tariff and submitted it to the government. Once the power tariff hike is announced, water tariff hike will follow,” added Ramamurthy.</p>