Engineers to inspect Maintenance of Rain Water Harvesting in Buildings
The government made rainwater harvesting mandatory in all the buildings in 2002. Now the government gives sanction for new buildings only such structures are part of the plan.
In harvesting’ rainwater from the rooftop is led through pipes into a recharge well on the premises. The rain water falling on the ground and driveway can also be led into these wells. This then seeps into the earth. Though a majority of the buildings set up rainwater harvesting structures to meet the 2002 deadline set by then chief minister J Jayalalithaa’ subsequent inspections by NGOs found that a majority of the structures were either not set up scientifically or were not being maintained properly.
With the monsoon round the corner’ the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has sent a circular to area engineers to inspect the maintenance of rain water harvesting (RWH) structures in all buildings in their jurisdiction.
With the water demand in Chennai expected to shoot up to 2248 million litres per day (mld) by 2026 and the availability pegged at 1615 mld Metrowater is taking all steps to augment the water supply. Two desalination plants of 100 mld capacity and one more with a 200 mld capacity are being constructed in the city. It is also searching for an additional source which can supply 15 thousand million cubic feet of water. But experts state that rainwater harvesting is more important as it can enhance the groundwater levels.
Metrowater engineers are now planning to rope in residents associations for the task. “We will need help from the residents because there is only one official per 50 streets”, said the official. The engineers will send a detailed report to the headquarters soon after the inspection.
“If the rainwater harvesting structures are not maintained properly, the water will only go waste’” said a senior Metrowater official. “Most residents don’t know how to maintain them. They just clean the terrace’ but the pipelines and the wells also need to be cleaned. It is a very simple procedure and will not take much time or money.”Thanks to rainwater harvesting’ the groundwater level across 10 Metrowater zones went up by an average 1.31 metres as on August 2010. “This was possible last year as the harvesting structures were maintained properly and during rains’ the city reaped the benefits. Water levels can dip any time in Chennai’” said the official.
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