Rain Water Harvesting

Q.1 Why RWH is must in places like Delhi. (Urban Areas)

Rainwater harvesting is critical for Delhi’s Water Security. By adding to Delhi’s

own limited water resources it will

• Help cater to the potable water needs of the ever growing population
• Stop the rapid fall in Ground Water Level
• Increase availability of Portable Water
• Help maintain Green Cover
• Help revive Water Bodies

Q.2 Define mandatory provision on Rain water harvesting by Delhi Jal Board.

Provisions from Delhi Jal Board are-

• Such plots/properties on 500 sqm plot area or more and having functional
RWH system shall be granted rebate of 10% in the total bill amount. Rebate is
15% if both the systems i.e. RWH and waste water recycling plants are setup and
functional
• If the Rain Water Harvesting system is adopted by a society, the individual
member of that society will be entitled to above mentioned rebate in water
bill.
• The area Zonal Engineer or such other suitable agency as authorized by the
Board will provide a functional certificate in respect of the above systems
mentioning therein that substantive portion of the plot/ property has been
covered as far as Rain water Harvesting is concerned. Similarly, he will certify
that substantive quantity of the waste water generated has been recycled by
the consumer. A certificate in regard to the same will be issued after every six
months.
• Mandatory provision on Rain Water Harvesting: Consumer of Delhi Jal Board
having a plot / property of size 500sqm or more shall make provision for rain
water harvesting under intimation to the area Zonal Revenue Officer (ZRO). In
case, the consumers fail to comply this provision within the time limit, the tariff
as applicable for the consumers of respective category will be increased by
1.5 times till the provision on rain water harvesting made and intimated.
Mandatory provision for RWH and consequent penal provisions are applicable
from 01.07.2016. CEO, DJB is further delegated the power to defer the same
and make it applicable from a subsequent date, if required.
• For provision of RWH systems in the building premises, rain water runoff
generated from rooftop areas shall only be considered for the purpose of
applicability of penal and rebate provisions contained in the Tariff Regulations,
2012.
• RWH through artificial ground water recharge structures is not
recommended where post monsoon ground water levels are shallower than
5m. Penalties as per the Delhi Water & Sewer (Tariff & Metering) Regulations,
2012 will not be levied on DJB consumers for non-provision of RWH system in
such areas. However, in such areas rain water storage for its use in non-potable
purposes after required treatment may be carried out as a voluntary option.
Q.3 Calculate rain water recharge pit capacity of a 400 sqm plot having 60% ground
coverage.

Recharge pit capacity = Rooftop area x 0.8 (runoff coefficient for roof top area)
x 0.025 (average max. Rain fall intensity in meters per day)

Rooftop area = 400 x 60% = 240 sqm

Recharge pit capacity = 240 x 0.8 x 0.025 = 4.8 cum

Q. 4 Define min. & Max. depth of rain water recharge pit

Minimum and maximum depths of recharge structures may not be less than 1m
and may not be greater than 4m respectively.

Q.5 Define min. & Max. distance of rain water recharge pit from main structure.

Recharge structures are to be located at a safe distance away from the

buildings/foundations. A minimum distance of 1.5m (or 5m for buildings having
single basements) or as recommended by the architect/structural engineer
depending on the type of buildings, whichever is more may be considered.

Q.6 Explain salient points on implementation, maintenance and operation of artificial

recharge structure for RWH

Salient Points on Implementation, Operation and Maintenance of Artificial

Recharge Structures for RWH

i. Capacities for recharge structures are based on rain water runoff from roof
areas. However, citizens are encouraged to make recharge structures of
additional capacities that take runoff from other non-polluting
catchments.
ii. All the dimensions indicated in the above sizes are the inner dimensions
and below the inlet pipes. This is to ensure that the full system capacity is
utilized for groundwater recharge.
iii. Minimum and maximum depths of recharge structures may not be less
than 1.0m and may not be more than 4.0m respectively.
iv. Recharge structures are to be located at a safe distance away from the
buildings/foundations. A minimum distance of 1.5m (or 5m for buildings
having single basements) or as recommended by the architect/structural
engineer depending on the type of buildings, whichever is more may be
considered.

v. Sizes of the recharge structures given above are suggestive only and may
vary according to site conditions. They may be changed to suit the
available space and one or more recharge structures may be provided
subject to the condition that the cumulative capacities are not less than
 the required capacities. It is to be ensured that recharge structures should
become integral part of the rain water conveyance system of the
premises.

vi. Recharge bores are not proposed in the RWH structures suggested by
Delhi Jal Board and are applicable for building premises without
basements. However, for building premises with basements and for the
purpose of increasing efficiency of recharge to ground water interested
citizens and institutions may separately approach Central Ground
Water Board for design and drawings of artificial recharge structures
having provisions for Recharge wells (bores).

vii. Run-off coefficient for roof top/concrete area is considered as 0.8.

Equivalent catchment areas for bituminous roads/paved areas and
open/green areas without steep slopes can be worked out by
considering their run-off coefficients as 0.6 and 0.1 respectively.

viii. Only non-polluted rain water from the roof tops and other catchment
areas has to be diverted to recharge structures through connection of
down pipes.

ix. Before the onset of the monsoon all the catchment areas considered
for recharge are to be cleaned. The recharge structures are to be in
operation during the monsoon season only so as to avoid any
contamination.

x. A mesh/Jali should be provided at the mouth of roof rain water pipes

and inlets to the recharge structures so that leaves or any other solid
waste/debris is prevented from entering the pit. By-pass arrangements
may be provided before the recharge chambers to divert the first rain
runoff directly into the municipal drains.

xi. An overflow pipe is to be provided in recharge structures, leading/out

falling into municipal storm water drains.

xii. Necessary flow checks may be provided within the internal storm water
drains (rain water conveyance system) for settling the silt, if felt
necessary.

xiii. Recharge structures should be implemented with requisite structural

soundness and adhere to all relevant construction and structural norms.
The structure Sh0Lil&fiOt pose any danger to people and building. The
design should be based on the soil type and land use. Thickness of RCC
cover slabs and reinforcement shall be dependent on structural loads.
Access manhole frame and covers and foot rests to be provided.
Thickness of recharge chamber walls/Circular RCC rings shall be
dependent on its depth and structural loads.
 xiv. It is recommended to provide filter media consisting of brick aggregates
(40/50/63 mm size)/charcoal and activated carbon/coarse sand (1.5-
2.0mm) /geo textile membrane.

Alternative to suggested filter media may be multiple layers of jute mats

in recharge chambers / modular RWH filters in rain water pipes from
rooftops with the objective to arrest the silt in the rain runoff generated
from the catchments before its percolation into the natural soil strata
and thereby minimizing it's clogging. However, simple RWH structures
without filter media and recharge bores having adequate capacity
depending on the rain water runoff from roof top areas will be
considered for exemption from levy of penalties as per the Delhi Water
& Sewer (Tariff & Metering) Regulations, 2012 on the consumers of Delhi
Jal Board.

xv. RWY through artificial ground water recharge structures is not

recommended where post monsoon ground water levels are shallower
than 5m. In such areas rain water storage for its use in non-potable
purposes after required treatment may be carried out.

xvi. DJB consumers were allowed a rebate of 10% in total bill amount as per
Delhi Water & Sewer (Tariff & Metering) Regulations, 2012 in the Plot /
Properties of 2000sqm and above, having installed functional RWH
System. The rebate has been extended for plots of 500 sqm. and above
vide DJB Resolution No. 276 taken in its 126th meeting held on 1.03.2016.
Provision of filter media as indicated in Simple Modular Designs of RWH
structures or suitable alternatives to minimize silt in the rain water runoff
before its percolation will be necessary for seeking rebate.

xvii. Recharge structures shall be cleaned before onset of monsoon season

every year including removal, washing and relaying with topping of
filter media layers, if provided.

xviii. It is advisable to clean the recharge structures after every 2 rainfalls

during the rainy season or more frequently. Recharge structures shall be
checked and cleaned at least 7 days interval or more frequently during
rainy season.

xix. Post monsoon cleaning and maintenance of recharge chambers shall

be carried out. It is again to emphasize that proper & timely
maintenance is the key factor for the success of Artificial Recharge
structures. Citizens are required not just to make the RWH structures but
also to maintain them such that they are efficiently able to function
during the monsoons. Following annual maintenance activities shall
also need to be done in this regard:

a) De-silting i.e. removal of all accumulated debris and silt in the

recharge structures and rain water conveyance system.
 b) Cleaning of filter media by thoroughly washing it with
water/topping/replacement of filter media.
c) Repair for structural damage and system
efficiency.
d) Repair / design modifications / diversions to ensure that no
contaminated water enters the structures and not to allow any
changes in catchment that may prevent Rain Water runoff from
reaching the recharge chambers.

Q.7 Sketch a circular recharge chamber for RWH and also made table for 100, 200,
300, 400, 500 plot area details and specification.

PLAN

SECTION
S. No. PLOT AREA (sqm) MAX. REQUIRED SUGGESTIVE DEPTH (D)
ROOFTOP CAPACITY DIAMETER of
AREA as (internal) of CIRCULAR
per DDA (cum) CIRCULAR CHAMBERS
MPD 2021 CHAMBER

1 100 90 1.8 1.2m (4 ft) 1.6

2 200 150 3 1.5m (5 ft) 1.7

3 300 225 4.5 1.5m (5 ft) 2.5

4 400 300 6 2 structures of size

mentioned in S. No. 2

5 500 375 7.5 1 structure of size

mentioned in S. No. 2 and
1 structure of size
mentioned in S. No. 3 (i.e.
total two structures)
Flat terracing details & Rain water disposal

Q.1 What are the important and essential guidelines that must be followed in flat
terracing?

• The top of the roof terrace should be provided with slope of 1 in 50 to drain the
rainwater.
• The location of rainwater pipes should be decided keeping in view the location
of doors and windows and in such way that one rainwater pipe of dia 100mm
discharges the rainwater of roof area of 40 sqm approx. The spacing of the
rainwater pipes can be taken as 6m approx.
• The top of coping provided on parapet should be provided inside slope towards
roof terrace.
• The Khurra of size 40cm x 40cm should be laid in cement concrete finished with
12mm cement mortar (1:3) at the inlet of each rainwater pipe.
• The down take pipe should be provided with shoe and it should be 15 cm
above plinth protection.

Q.2 Draw the typical junction detail of terrace showing parapet wall, rain water pipe.
Q.3 Draw the typical details of khurra (water catchment area) with connection to
RWP along parapet wall.
Q.4 Draw sketch of a rectangular roof with ridge line and placement of RWP.

Q.5 Explain causes and remedies of terrace problem when water pipes running zig
zag on terrace and causing obstruction in walking and cleaning.

Causes of terrace problem when water pipes running zig zag on terrace and
causing obstruction in walking and cleaning.

1. Water tank location not appropriately chosen

2. Pipe routing not properly planned.
3. Pipes directly placed on the roof without leaving any gap.

Remedies-

1. Water tank should not be located in the middle of roof. It should be located
on one side of the roof near service shaft so that water pipes can directly
connect to the tank through service shaft and they needn’t run on the roof.
2. In case water pipes need to go over the roof then they should be routed
along the wall by clamping instead of running directly over the roof. If it is
 necessary to go for the pipe to run over the roof, then pipe should be routed
over pedestals instead of touching the roof so that roof can be properly
cleaned.

Q.7 Explain causes and remedies of water not going smoothly thorough rainwater
pipes and staying around.

Causes- 1. Khurra not provided near the rain water pipe

2. Strainer not provided

Remedies – 1. Provide khurra near the mouth of rain water pipe.

2. Strainer should be provided having at least 1.5 to 2 times the area of

rainwater pipes.