(a) whether the Government proposes to make rain water harvesting system compulsory for new constructions on 100 Sq. Meters area and above in the big cities throughout the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy on Rain Water harvesting; and
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the measures adopted by the Government to educate the rural and urban people of the country in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT( SHRI AJAY MAKEN )
(a)to(d): Revision of bye-laws to make rain water harvesting mandatory in all buildings is one of the key urban reforms under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. All State Governments have committed to implement the above reform within the seven year mission period (2007-12) in the cities covered under the Mission. Further, Model Building Bye-laws brought out by Ministry of Urban Development has incorporated the provision of Rain Water Harvesting which have been circulated to all the State Governments. As per Model Building Bye-laws, water harvesting through storing of water runoff including rainwater in all new buildings on plots of 100 sqm should be provided for in the building plan. The plans submitted to the local bodies shall indicate the system of storm water drainage along with
points of collection of rain water in surface reservoirs or in recharge wells. Further, all buildings having a minimum discharge of 10,000 litre and above per day may incorporate waste water recycling system. The recycled water can be used for non-potable purposes. Various State Governments have made the provision of rain water mandatory. However, the minimum size of the plot varies from State to State depending on local conditions.
The Central Ground Water Authority have issued Guidelines on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water to the States/Union Territories to enable them to formulate area specific artificial recharge schemes to conserve and use rain water. The pamphlet of Central Government Water Authority on rain water harvesting is available for dissemination to public. Rain water harvesting is also included in the syllabi of Schools.