HELP DESK AND SUPPORT NETWORK - RAINWATER HARVESTING, GROUND WATER RECHARGE AND WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME FOR BANGALORE CITY

Background:

Government of Karnataka realized the importance of harvesting rainwater and as a first step through BWSSB RWH has been made mandatory for most of the properties in Bangalore effective from November 2009. Council in collaboration with BWSSB embarked up on the task of establishing RWH Helpdesk at Council.

Objectives:

• Build awareness among public and skill development through training programmes on Rainwater Harvesting and ground water recharge in Bangalore city limits

• Preparation of literature for awareness and publicity

• Documentation and information dissemination on print and electronic media

• Demonstration plots of Rainwater Harvesting across Bangalore City – BWSSB buildings

• Demonstration of cost effective and sustainable methods of Rainwater Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge in the local context

• Influence policy makers, implementers, service providers, opinion makers to promote Rainwater Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge

Progress since November 2009:

The helpdesk at the Council was established on 29th of October 2009 at Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology. The helpdesk was initiated through a popular programme at R.T. Nagar on 18th October 2009 by Sri Katta Subramanya Naidu, Hon’ble Minister, BWSSB. The helpdesk primarily aims at training the stake holders such as architects, engineers, contractors, plumbers, masons, etc within Bangalore city through several Training Programmes. Awareness Camps are arranged to bring in awareness among the general public regarding Rainwater Harvesting. Information on technical details of RWH and ground water recharge are being provided at RWH helpdesk for those who visit KSCST or contact through telephone, web and email.

There were 16 Training Programmes held at KSCST for the plumbers till March 2010 and around 485 plumbers and civil contractors registered under BWSSB have been trained. Hands on training along with the field visits were organized to provide practical exposure on the cost effective and sustainable RWH technologies.

There were 12 Awareness Camps held at different Assembly constituencies of Bangalore city (R.T. Nagar, Basavangudi, Rajajinagar, Malleshwaram, Vishweshwarapuram, Padmanabhnagar, Mahalakshmipuram, Coffee Board Layout at Hebbal, Shantinagar, Yelahanka New Town, BTM Layout and Basweshwarnagar) with the support of the local MLAs and leaders. Around 5000 people participated in these awareness programmes.

In addition to training and awareness programmes, 106 buildings of BWSSB (including service stations, sub division offices, ground level reservoirs and quarters) were visited to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for undertaking Rainwater Harvesting. The DPR has been submitted to BWSSB and is in the advanced stage of implementation.

RWH helpdesk at KSCST has emerged as one stop solution and an effort of the Council to conserve water in the city of Bangalore. Rainwater Harvesting is one of the prioritized projects of KSCST and an important measure to mitigate water scarcity and augment existing water supply.

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