Rainwater Harvesting

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MEMBERS' REFERENCE SERVICE

LARRDIS
LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI

REFERENCE NOTE
No. 34/LN/Ref/June/2016
1
For the use of Members of Parliament NOT FOR PUBLICATION

BULLET POINTS ON
RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Prepared by Shri Jayadev Sahu, Additional Director (23035025) and Shri Sai Ram C.V. , JLA of Lok
Sabha Secretariat under the supervision of Smt. Kalpana Sharma, Joint Secretary and
Smt. Anita Khanna, Director.

The reference material is for personal use of the Members in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties, and is not
for publication. This Service is not to be quoted as the source of information as it is based on the sources indicated
at the end/in the text. This Service does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or veracity of the information
or views contained in the note/collection.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING

On an average, India receives annual rainfall of about 1186.2 millimeter and the
average annual precipitation is about 4000 billion cubic meters (BCM). As per the
assessment done by Central Water Commission, the average annual water
availability in the country is 1869 BCM. It is estimated that owing to topographic,
hydrological and other constraints, the utilizable water is 1123 BCM which
comprises of 690 BCM of surface water and 433BCM of replenishable ground
water resources.1

As per the assessment made by Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central
Ground Water Board (CGWB) in the year 2009 and 2011, of about 450 BCM of
surface water and 245 BCM of groundwater was being utilized out of 1123 BCM
of total utilizable water. The balance water could be considered to be flowing
down to sea.2

According to the international norms, a country can be categorized as 'water


stressed' when water availability is less than 1700 m3 per capita per year whereas a
country can be classified as 'water scarce' if it is less than 1000 m3 per capita per
year.3 The average annual per capita availability of water in India, taking into
consideration the population of the country as per the 2001 census, was 1816 cubic
meters which decreased to1545 cubic meters in 2011. 4

Due to rapid rise in population and growing economy of the country, there will be
continuous increase in demand for water, and it will become scarce in the coming
decades.

As a part of immediate mitigation steps, conservation of fresh water and rainwater


harvesting can be done for sustainable development.

1
Reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1818, dated 30 July 2015
2
Reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No.1916, dated 14 March 2016
3
Water Resources Information System of India (http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/)
4
Op. cit. Unstarred Question No. 1916
2

 Rain Water Harvesting


Rain Water Harvesting can be defined as activity of direct collection of rain water
and storage of rain water as well as other activities aimed at harvesting and
conserving surface and ground water, prevention of loss through evaporation and
seepage and other hydrological studies and engineering inventions aiming at most
efficient utilization of the rain water towards best use for the humanity.5

 Need for Rain Water Harvesting


 The rapid rise in human population has made optimum use of fresh water
imperative.
 Urban water supply system in particular are under tremendous pressure to
meet the needs of population as well as industry and large-scale construction
 Groundwater is getting depleted and polluted.
 Unchecked runoff is causing soil erosion
 Consumption of polluted water is beset with health hazards. 6

 Advantages of Rain Water Harvesting


 Environment friendly and easy approach for meeting water requirement.
 An ideal solution to water problems in areas having inadequate water
resources.
 Increases the groundwater level.
 Improves groundwater quality.
 Mitigate the effects of drought.
 Reduces runoff, which otherwise floods storm water drains.
 Reduces flooding of roads and low lying areas.
 Coast effective and easy to maintain.
 Reduces water and electricity consumption.7

 From Where Rain Water Can be Harvested


 People planning construction of houses, modification of houses, existing
houses etc. should provide for Rainwater Harvesting;

5
Rain Water Harvesting and Conservation, Manual, CPWD, 2002, p-9
6
Rainwater Harvesting, Parisara, ENVIS NEWSLETTER, January 2012
7
Ibid, p-2
3

 Government buildings, institutions, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls & other


buildings should accommodate Rainwater Harvesting in existing structure;
 From rooftop and open areas;
 On farmlands, public parks, playground and other open areas;
 Paved and unpaved areas of a layouts, cities, towns and villages. 8

 Components of a Rain Water Harvesting System


 Catchment Area/Roof: Surface upon which rain falls
 Gutters and Downspouts: Transport channels from catchment surface to
storage
 Leaf Screens and Roof Washers: System that remove contamination and
debris.
 Cisterns or Storage Tanks: Where collected rain water is stored.
 Conveying: The delivery system for treated rain water, either by gravity or
pump.
 Water treatment: Filters and equipment and additives to settle, filter and
disinfect.9

 Groundwater Recharge
Natural replenishment of ground water reservoir is slow and is unable to keep pace
with the excessive continued exploitation of ground water resources in various
parts of the country. This has resulted in declining ground water levels and
depleted ground water resources in large areas of the country.

The rainfall occurrence in the country is monsoon dependent and in large part of
the country rain fall is limited to about three months period ranging from around
20 to 30 days. The natural recharge to ground water reservoir is restricted to this
period only. The artificial recharge techniques aim at increasing the recharge
period in the post-monsoon season for about 3 more months providing additional
recharge.
A variety of methods have been developed to recharge ground water. Artificial
recharge techniques can be broadly categorized into:

8
Ibid, p-2
9
Op. cit. Manual, CPWD, p-16
4

Direct surface techniques


• Flooding
• Basins or percolation tanks
• Stream augmentation
• Ditch and furrow system
• Over irrigation

Direct sub surface techniques


• Injection wells or recharge wells
• Recharge pits and shafts
• Dug well recharge
• Bore hole flooding
• Natural openings, cavity fillings.

Indirect Techniques
• Induced recharge from surface water source.
• Aquifer modification10

 Government Initiatives
Several steps for efficient management of rainwater harvesting and artificial
recharge of ground water are being undertaken by the State Governments. The
Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments, by
providing technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and
programmes.

 The National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Ministry of Water
Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation which, inter-alia
advocates rain water harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the
need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall.

 Ministry of Water Resources has also circulated a Model Bill to all the
States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for its
regulation and development which includes provision of rain water

10
Select Case Studies Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge, CGWB, M/O Water Resources, 2011
5

harvesting. So far, 15 States/UT's have adopted and implemented the


ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.

 Various States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting


laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in
Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders. The details are
given at Annexure. 11

 As per Schedule-I 1(i) of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment


Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the water conservation and water harvesting
structures to augment ground water constitute special focus on recharging
ground water including drinking water sources.12

 As per Para 3.43 in the Guidelines of MPLADS permit installation of


rainwater harvesting systems (both for water storage and ground water
recharging) in Government buildings and public places like school, colleges,
hospitals, community halls, water bodies etc. belonging to central, State and
Local Self Government. 13

 Smart City Mission Statement & Guidelines has incorporated the


conservation of rainwater and its harvesting in the essential features of Smart
City.14

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Section 3(3) of „The
Environment (Protection) Act, (1986)‟ has issued directives/guidelines to:

 The Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take
measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water
harvesting.

11
Reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 608, dated 23 July 2015
12
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
13
Mplad.nic.in, Circulars, dated 03 September 2014 (http://mplads.nic.in/circularsmenu.htm)
14
Smart City Mission Statement & Guidelines, M/O Urban Development, 2015,p-9
6

 For implementation of ground water recharge measures along all Highways


and other major roads; along rail tracks, in Stadiums and in Airports.

 To large and medium industries using ground water in the over exploited
and critical areas in the country (except in the water logged areas) to take up
water conservation measures including recharge of ground water/rain water
harvesting and adopt practices of treatment, recycle and reuse of waste water
in their premises.15

 CGWB had undertaken the Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and


Artificial Recharge Projects during XI Plan under the Scheme of “Ground
Water Management & Regulation” in priority areas. The scheme has been
discontinued during the XII Plan period. However, funds are released for
spilled over projects during XII Plan. 16

 CGWB had prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for


Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013. Which
envisages construction of about 1.11crore artificial recharge structures in
urban and rural areas at an estimated cost of about Rs. 79,178 crores.17

 Besides CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the


Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground
water.

Conclusion
Effective water management is very essential for the growth and development of
any country. Unless water problem is adequately addressed with sufficient planning
and care, life on earth itself could be threatened in the years to come. Every drop of
water should be judiciously utilized to increase productivity and its wastage must
be minimized. Effective strategies should be made to harvest water.

15
Reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1750, dated 09 May 2016
16
Reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 608, dated 23 July 2015
17
Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water, CGWB, 2013, p-vi
7

ANNEXURE

Details of Statutes/ Rules/ Regulations in various States/ UTs relating to Rooftop


Rain Water Harvesting 18
S. State/ UT Action Taken
No.
1 Andhra Pradesh  Under Chapter 3, Section 17(1) of the „Andhra
Pradesh Water, Land and Tree Act, 2002‟ stipulates
mandatory provision to construct rainwater
harvesting structures at new and existing
constructions for all residential, commercial and
other premises and open space having area of not
less than 200 sq.m in the stipulated period, failing
which the authority may get such rainwater
harvesting structures constructed and recover the
cost incurred along with the penalty as may be
prescribed. Municipal Administration and Urban
Development have notified that all Group Housing
Schemes shall be provided with required facilities
and infrastructure for conservation and harvesting
of rainwater.
 Municipal Administration and Urban Development
Department vide G.O. No. 185 dated May 5, 2001
have been assigned responsibilities and made
special efforts to conserve rainwater through
rainwater harvesting structures in urban areas.
 Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, surrounding
Municipalities and Panchayats have been made
responsible for construction of rainwater harvesting
pits.
2 Arunachal Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting made mandatory by
Pradesh amending building byelaws.
3 Assam Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting made mandatory for
100 sq.m and above by Guwahati Development
Authority through including provision in building bye-
laws.

18
Reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 608, dated 23 July 2015
8

4 Bihar Enacted “The Bihar Ground Water (Regulation and


Control of Development and Management) Act, 2006.
Chapter-III (Clause 18) of the Act stipulates provision
of roof top rainwater harvesting structures in the
building plan in an area of 1000 sq.m or more while
according approval for construction by the Municipal
Corporation / other local bodies.
5 Chhattisgarh The Nagar Palika Nigam, Raipur has made it
mandatory to adopt the roof top rainwater harvesting
having roof top area more than 500 sq.ft.
6 Goa Government of Goa has made rainwater harvesting
mandatory for residential complexes including
apartments on plot areas of 2000 sq.m& above and for
industrial units on plot areas of 10,000 sq.m & above.
PWD, Goa has been asked to take up rainwater
harvesting structure for Government buildings.
7 Gujarat Metropolitan areas have notified rules under which no
new building plan is approved in absence of rainwater
harvesting structures.
8 Haryana Rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory by
Haryana Urban Development Authority vide
notification dated 31st October, 2001 and 13th
December, 2002 respectively.
9 Himachal Installation of rainwater harvesting system has been
Pradesh made mandatory for all buildings to be constructed in
urban areas of the State and no building plan without
rainwater harvesting system can be approved.
Construction of rainwater harvesting system has also
been made mandatory for all schools, Government
buildings and Rest Houses, upcoming industries, bus
stands etc.
10 Jharkhand Ranchi Regional Development Authority amended
building bye-laws in November, 2006 and made
adoption of rainwater harvesting and recharge well
mandatory for multi-dwelling and commercial units.
9

11 Karnataka Amended Rules of Bangalore Water Supply and


Sewerage Board which provide for mandatory
provision of rainwater harvesting structures by every
owner with area of 2400 sq.ft and above, or every
owner who proposes to construct new buildings with
site area more than 1200 sq.ft.
12 Kerala An amendment was made in Kerala Municipality
Building Rules, 1999 incorporating rainwater
harvesting arrangements.
13 Madhya Pradesh Incorporated mandatory provision for rainwater
harvesting in the M.P. Bhumi Vikas Niyam (1984),
Rule 78(4) makes it mandatory to provide for
rainwater harvesting in all houses of more than 140
sq.m.
14 Maharashtra  Launched rainwater recharge scheme named
“Shivkalin Pani Sathawan Yojana” (Shivkalin
Water Recharge Scheme) in the State from 2002.
Under this scheme, drinking water sources are
strengthened by recharging rainwater through
different water harvesting structures. This scheme
is implemented in rural areas.
 In urban areas, keeping in view the constraint of the
available space, provision has been made in the
Development Control Rules to make provision of
rainwater harvesting scheme in Greater Mumbai
Municipal Corporation Area and other Municipal
areas of the State.
15 Meghalaya Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting made mandatory for
buildings above 100 sq.m area.
16 Nagaland The State Government has made provision for roof top
rainwater compulsory for all new Government
buildings.
17 Odisha The Odisha Legislative Assembly has already passed a
bill during 2012 on “Ground Water (Regulation,
Development & Management)for the state of Odisha.
The bill contains provisions for roof top rainwater
harvesting and artificial recharge for buildings,
particularly in urban and peri-urban areas of the State.
10

18 Punjab  Department of Local Government have amended


and notified the building bye-laws and have made
mandatory Rainwater Harvesting System in all
buildings above 200 sq.yards. The same has been
adopted by all Urban Local Bodies of the State.
 Punjab Urban Development Authority has also
made provision of rainwater harvesting mandatory
in all institutional buildings while approving
building plans as well as licensed colonies
developed by private promoters.
19 Rajasthan Provision of rainwater harvesting made mandatory in
respect of plots having more than 300 sq.m area in
Nagar Nigam/ Nagar Parishad/ Nagar Palika area and
notification in this respect issued vide letter dated
16.01.2006 by the Local Self Department.
20 Sikkim Springshed Development Program has been made by
Rural Development Department, Sikkim for
augmentation of drinking water supply in rural
areas.
21 Tamil Nadu It is mandatory for all the existing and new buildings
to provide rainwater harvesting facilities under
Municipal laws. It has also been made mandatory to
include roof top rainwater harvesting structures in the
plan of the building itself for accordance of approval
by the relevant Competent Authority.
22 Tripura As per Tripura Building Rules, 2004, water harvesting
is mandatory in all new buildings having plinth area
more than 300 sq.m for all types of uses and in group
housing of any size.
11

23 Uttar Pradesh  Rainwater Harvesting made mandatory for all new


housing schemes/ plots/ buildings/ Group housing
schemes with separate network of pipes for
combined Rainwater Harvesting/ Recharging
system.
 In Government Buildings (both new as well as
old), installation of rainwater harvesting structures
has been made mandatory.
 For housing schemes of 20 acres and above, it is
mandatory to develop ponds/ water bodies in 5%
of the total proposed area.
24 Uttarakhand The Government (Awas Evam Shahari Vikas) made
rules for compulsory installation of rainwater
harvesting system and directed to adopt rules in
building byelaws vide order dated 15.11.2003.
Accordingly, all the Development Authorities have
made partial amendments in the prevalent House
Building and Development bye-laws/ Regulation.
25 West Bengal Government has notified „The West Bengal Municipal
(Building) Rules, 2007‟ and vide its rule No. 168 (13),
Part – XII has made rainwater harvesting mandatory
for all buildings.
26 Andaman and In UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, rooftop
Nicobar Islands rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory in Port
Blair Town.
27 Chandigarh UT Administration has made installation of rainwater
harvesting system mandatory for all buildings
(existing and new) located on plot of one kanal and
above to recharge ground water.
28 Dadar, Nagar & Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting made mandatory as
Haveli per Development and Control Rules (Amendments
Rules, 2009) in all types of buildings, which are
constructed in an area of 1000 sq.m and above.
12

29 Daman & Diu Daman Municipal Building Model Byelaws and


Zoning Regulation, 2002 exists which have provision
for construction of sump-well for recharge of ground
water. The UT Administration has issued instructions
to the local PWD for construction of roof top
rainwater harvesting structures. Administration has
also advised the local bodies such as Municipality &
District Panchayats to make provision for construction
of roof top rainwater harvesting structures.
30 Delhi  Roof top rain water harvesting made mandatory for
building having area of 100 sq.m and above by
amending building byelaws.
 Registrar Cooperative Societies has advised all
Group Housing Societies to adopt rainwater
harvesting in their premises.
 Requested all Government departments to adopt
rainwater harvesting and waste water recycling
system.
 NDMC, MCD, DDA, PWD sanctioning plan by
including rainwater harvesting in their buildings.
31 Puducherry Made provision of rainwater harvesting mandatory in
residential, offices, public buildings, commercial
buildings, educational and health institutions and
industrial buildings vide Govt. Order Dated 19.3.2010.
13

REFERENCES
1. Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, CGWB, Select Case Studies Rain
Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge, May 2011.
2. Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources, CGWB, Master Plan for Artificial
Recharge to Ground Water in India, 2013.
3. Government of India, Central Public Works Department, Rainwater Harvesting and
Conservation Manual, 2002.
4. Government of India, Ministry of Urban Development, Smart Cities Mission Statement &
Guidelines, 2015.
5. Answers to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Questions.
6. 'Rainwater Harvesting', Parisara, Envis Newsletter, vol.26, January, 2012.
7. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
8. Official websites of Water Resource Information System of India (http://www.india-
wris.nrsc.gov.in/); and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, MPLADS
(http://mplads.nic.in/Circular2E03-09-2014.pdf).

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