BMC to urge people to take up rainwater harvesting

Mumbai: To get residents to take up rainwater harvesting, BMC officials will begin visiting housing societies andurge them to implement the project in their colonies. 

    Thecivicbody also plansto put up hoardings, advertisements and start awareness campaigns regarding the system. Besides, it has also introduced property tax rebates andwater tax rebatesfor those building thathaveimplemented rainwater harvesting. 

    Mayor Sunil Prabhu said, "Rainwater harvesting can be an important source for augmenting the city's water supply.If implementedtimely and before monsoon, then the excesswater can beusedfor nonpotableuse." 

    According to a senior official,wardlevelofficialswillbe visiting residentialsocieties. 

    A total of 209 BMC-owned propertieshave already implemented the system, of which 48 are in the eastern suburbs, 84 in the western suburbs and 65in theislandcity.Acivicofficialsaid, "Only 3,008buildings have adopted the system. Around 3,847 buildings have registered for system but it is yettobeimplementedthere."