MYSURU: Intent on ensuring optimal utilisation of rainwater, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has issued strict orders to all hotels, lodges, educational institutions, government buildings and convention centres to install rainwater harvesting systems on their premises within three months, or pay an additional cess of 25% on their water bill.At the MCC council meeting chaired by deputy mayor Indira on Thursday, the issue of RWH systems being installed in sites measuring 30ftx40ft was discussed. The council members deliberated on the issue following reports of severe depletion of the groundwater reserves in Mysuru. In a bid to replenish the water table, the civic agency is making a concerted effort to get commercial and educational institutions to adopt the eco-friendly initiative.However, not all corporators were in agreement with the idea of asking owners of small sites to install RWH systems. Agrahara (ward 1) corporator BV Manjunath said that 30ftx40ft sites do not have sufficient space to accommodate these systems. “It is impractical on MCC’s part to force homeowners to install RWH system on the premises of their houses. RWH systems must first be installed in buildings constructed on sites of larger dimension. MCC can direct houses built on smaller sites to install the system at a later stage,” he said.Other councillors pointed out that, while the city could provide 250 million litres of drinking water each day, it was the ever-growing demand that was becoming hard to meet.After listening to the many opinions proffered by the corporators, deputy mayor Indira instructed MCC commissioner KH Jagadish to, in turn, direct owners of property larger than 50ftx80ft to install RWH systems.“Owners must install RWH systems on their property within three months of the orders being issued. An additional 5% tax will be levied on owners for the first five months on failing to install the system, and it will be raised to 25% if it is delayed further. MCC will stop charging additional tax once the owners install RWH systems,” Indira said.The deputy mayor also directed Jagadish to look into the feasibilities of installing these systems on smaller sites.On the sidelines*Corporator for Eranagere (Ward 41) alleged that Forum Hall had been constructed illegally on a burial ground belonging to the MCC, and sought action. MCC commissioner Jagadish said that a fact-finding committee would be formed to look into the issue, and a report would be tabled.*Saraswathipuram (Ward 20) corporator drew the attention of the council about irregularities in tenders to supply water through tankers. Deputy mayor Indira said that an investigation would be initiated into the issue.

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