Harvest rainwater or pay more!

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has decided to crack the whip on its consumers, who fail to instal rain harvesting systems despite having over 500 square yards plot, and imposed higher water tariff on them. They have to fork out 1.5 times more on water tariffs from this month for the commercial and industrial units and from September 1 for residential buildings in the national Capital. 

At present, Government has identified about 5,000 commercial and industrial units and at least 15,000 residential building on plot size of over 500 square yards. “We are going to hike the tariffs by 1.5 times of the original payment for the commercial and industrial units from this month itself,” a senior DJB official told The Pioneer, adding that this will be applicable to the residential lands from September 1.

Terming the move as a measure to instill awareness among the consumers, the official said the water tariff will become normal once the owners install rainwater harvesting systems on their plots. Moreover, the DJB officials will inspect the spot and will register the installation of rainwater harvesting process in DJB’s record, said the official.

In the first phase, the drive will be conducted in the South and South West districts of the Capital where groundwater level is low.To make people aware of rainwater harvesting, DJB has also sought help from NGOs and asked them to find out such 100 institutions and prepare them for the rainwater harvesting plan. “We have coordinated with Intact and Force NGO to spread awareness among people on rainwater harvesting by conducting workshops and campaigns.”