- Builders must give undertaking revealing drinking water source
- Credai responds that provision of water is the government’s responsibility
- High rise complexes to also have mandatory STP systems
Given the frequency with which water shortages are making headlines, the Karnataka government has said that it will soon not be enough for builders to provide only borewell water to residents.
G Parameshwara, the deputy chief minister recently announced that all builders in Bangalore will soon have to give an undertaking revealing the source of potable water for their residential projects.
The Drinking Water Problem in Bangalore
The announcement comes in light of rampant construction on the outskirts of Bangalore. This has lead to the availability of drinking water becoming a major problem especially in the outskirts of the city.
Many people have also been complaining about the increasing levels of TDS or total dissolved solids in borewell water. This increases the risk of skin diseases. Some apartment dwellers have also complained about getting inadequate Kaveri water.
Builders In Bangalore Must Reveal Drinking Water Source And Response By Credai
Through this announcement, the government has made builders responsible for providing drinking water to residents in new apartment complexes. However, the move has not been welcomed by the builder community.
The chairman of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, Karnataka responded to the announcement by saying that it was not the responsibility of the builders but rather the government’s responsibility to provide potable water for all its citizens.
At present, Kaveri water connections are provided to apartment complexes by paying pro-rata charges to the BWSSB but the builders do not undertake the responsibility to provide this water.
The deputy chief minister of Karnataka is due to meet the department officials of the water board and urban development department to discuss amendments to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Act. According to the BWSSB, the water shortage problem is a multi-departmental issue.
Steps To Be Made Mandatory For High Rises
In addition to making provisions for drinking water, builders will now also have to construct sewage treatment plants in all high rise apartments.
This will be applicable to all apartment complexes that have more than 20 units. STP systems treat used water so that it can be recycled and used for gardening, etc.