Original Query: Mihir Maitra, India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF), New Delhi
Posted: 26 July 2006
Recent discussions on the Solution Exchange WES-Net community have underlined the phenomenon of falling water table in the country and its consequences. The efficacy of roof water harvesting as a solution for recharging ground water has already been demonstrated by a number of agencies such as the Centre for Science and Environment. The Central Ground Water Authority has also laid down basic designs and guidelines for roof water harvesting in India.
Despite these favourable initiatives, roof water harvesting - particularly for groundwater recharge in urban areas - has not taken root on a large scale in India. In this context, I request the community to respond on the following:
- Members’ experiences on the challenges in large-scale propagation of roof water harvesting for groundwater recharge in urban areas. Members may also suggest mechanisms for its promotion such as subsidies and promotional, quality control and monitoring measures?
- Should adoption of roof water harvesting be made mandatory for certain category of buildings, as is the case with fire safety, for example? What has been the experience in implementation of roof water harvesting laws/ regulations in states where roof water harvesting has already been made mandatory? Of special interest would be the experience in Delhi.
Please see attachment below for the responses.