City lacks Rain Water Harvesting System, water continues to go waste

Realising the importance of groundwater, the state government had passed a law in October 2002 and issued an ordinance in June 2003. This paved the way for making rainwater harvesting compulsory in all existing buildings across the state. In the beginning, many conformed to the act and conserved water on their respective premises. However, with rampant urbanisation, this practice died a slow death, bringing the situation back to its worst state. 

Pointing out that water spillage in open places and households is rampant, experts stress that if every household at least has a small trench  where water can seep into, it will help recharge groundwater in a big way. They blame officials concerned for not creating awareness among the people on water conservation. 

K Narayanan, a resident of Ambattur, says the borewell at his house remains parched for the last four months. “The past monsoon was very disappointing. Since both government and private sectors have been extracting groundwater from all the available sources, it has led to a sharp decline in the level,” he said and insisted that every household must have RHWS in place. 

Sekhar Raghavan, director, Rain Centre, highlights the high temperature and unregulated extraction as major factors for groundwater depletion. “Our recent survey in 91 observation wells shows that the ground water level has steadily declined. When RHWS was established in 2003, no one had any idea of its effects. However, when there was a heavy downpour in 2005 and RWHS helped recharge the groundwater level to 20 feet,” he said and added that it led many to have such system on their own. 

The Chennai Metro Water Board officials claim that they have been taking steps and creating awareness among people over RWHS. “The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) approves construction, be it apartments or commercial buildings, only if the layout includes RWHS. So, we are monitoring all the buildings and we insist the buildings have the system in place,” said a senior official. They have also been conducting surveying of RWHS in the households and buildings, the official added. 

In order to reduce the fresh water usage and recharge the groundwater, the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) was supposed to instal 10 grey water recycling plants in different parts of the city. However, the board failed to implement such system. 

Had it been done, the public would have been able to save at least 35 to 40 litres of fresh water every day. “Though the treated water would not be safe for drinking, the same water can be used for watering gardens to increase level of ground water,” said an official. According to the Metro Water Board officials, a study from the Central Water Commission has indicated that every person living in the urban area is spending 136 litres of water per day for activities that include bathing, washing clothes and for toilet usage. So, it is inevitable to implement such a system in the city.