I woke up on Wednesday night to the sound of heavy rain. Water – precious water – was pouring out of pipes from the roof & emptying itself onto the road.

It then struck me that were it raining in Chennai, rainwater harvesting (RWH) which is mandatory over there would have ensured it being saved and groundwater tables recharged in the process.

Unfortunately, its been two full years after the government here made rainwater harvesting techniques mandatory for new constructions and I’m not sure if anybody is implementing these techniques.

A month or two back, I was in the extremely in-demand and hot new residential area called Kaggadaspura and was stunned to see this layout choc-a-block with apartments, apartments and more apartments. Not in one place did I see a RWH board.

But my point is this – why should RWH be made mandatory for only NEW constructions? Existing buildings too can adopt RWH techniques and benefit from abundant water supply from borewells and why, even, wells!

This should dispel all those misgivings that many of us have about our reminisces of old Bangalore where water was plentiful and one could strike water at depths of 10 feet+. I remember this happening at our house in Cambridge Layout in ’95.

The good news is that the

BWSSB is kicking off a campaign to create awareness about rain harvesting techniques.

Whom to contact to know about the modules? The BWSSB will also put out a list of the officials and recognised firms dealing with water conservation.

Those interested in the project can contact BWSSB public relations officer on 22945114.

For further information from a passionate advocate of RWH, head over to the Rainwater Club, an NGO run by Mr. S Vishwanath. I got in touch with him and wanted to do a q & a session with him when I realised that his website literally gushes with information on the why, how, who & when of RWH techniques. One will also find case studies and downloads for reference and information. Here’s a link to his blog as well, should you prefer.

Its a hope that sooner than later, Bangaloreans will realise the importance of RWH and adopt it voluntarily to the fullest extent. With the forecast that Bangalore’s population is headed to double itself in the near future, the grim scenario of ‘water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink’ should never happen!