Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is set to look into the functionality of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems installed in over 7,000 buildings across the city. DJB will also assess the compliance of house owners with regard to these systems and is expected to submit a report to the govt by the end of the monsoon.
It is mandatory for private properties of more than 100 square metres and all govt buildings to have a functioning rainwater harvesting system. While the guidelines have been in place for a long time, adherence is still lacking on the ground for various reasons, including a lack of complete information and unresolved queries.
According to officials, while many buildings have these systems installed, but questions remain on the functionality. Hence, all the statutory authorities and civic bodies have been directed to check before issuing the occupation certificate of any building, which is the law.
The Delhi govt has repeatedly extended the deadline for mandating rainwater harvesting systems in individual households, with the latest extension pending since March this year.
“All land-owning agencies are in the process of assessing low-lying areas to submit a report to the Integrated Drain Management Cell after exploring the creation of RWH pits within a period of three months,” says a govt report.
There are 1,245 govt buildings where the system is yet to be installed. These are mostly schools and colleges and a few others. While the areas along the Yamuna and some other locations with a high-water table are exempted, the DJB in other areas is supposed to provide financial assistance and empanelled engineers as an incentive for the public to install the systems.
