Rain storage system a must for all houses

PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) says that the requirement for installation of a rain water harvesting (RWH) system in buildings also applies to developers of terrace houses.
This is in addition to the condition being applicable to developers of bungalows and semi-detached houses.
DBKL's infrastructure planning department deputy director Ir Sabudin Salleh said since August 2008, they had imposed the requirement for residential buildings.
In January 2010, all other developments, including commercial buildings, complexes and mixed projects undertaken by developers were required to harvest rain water for watering plants and flushing toilets, he said.
Sabudin also said developers must include an RWH system when submitting their building plans, failing which the recommendation for the Certificate of Completion and Compliance would not be issued.
The requirement to include an RWH system in their building plans is stipulated under the Development Order (DO), he added.
Since 2010, a total of 340 developments which fulfilled the requirement have been approved by DBKL.
These included the construction of residential houses, shop lots, condominiums and office blocks.
Meanwhile, Malacca Historical City Council mayor Datuk Zainal Abu said the state has been implementing the RWH system since 2012 to encourage the public to reuse rain water.
"This is a starting point for the state to play its role as a responsible local council to raise public awareness on protecting the environment.
"We have made it compulsory for new buildings, commercial or residential, to include an RWH system," he added.