‘Maintain wells to harvest rainwater’

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 13

The incessant wastage of groundwater and exploitation of drinking water has forced the MC to go into some damage control mode as the civic body has initiated a survey to identify and create 1,200 wells for rainwater harvesting. Post the decision to make rainwater harvesting system mandatory for commercial as well as residential buildings, and its subsequent violation, the MC has issued notices and given one month to several commercial and residential owners to maintain the wells.

“We have conducted a survey and sanctioned plans to create 1,200 well by the end of June. Owners with 200 sq yard of plots, both residential and commercial, will have to get a water harvesting system in place. We have issued notices in this regard and will ensure that the paucity of groundwater is tackled well in time,” said IPS Randhawa, STP, MC.

The corporation has also charged Rs 20,000 as refundable security from a residential unit and Rs 50,000 from a commercial unit in this regard as well. Throwing in incentives, such as the refund of Rs 20, 000 security in case any residential plot owner is found maintaining his or her well, Randhawa says that awareness regarding individual responsibility towards the issue is also required. The city is usually inundated during incessant rain and waterlogging is a common problem. “The only possible solution is to make people aware through active support from all corners, including NGOs,” he added.

There are several methods of storing rainwater. A perforated pipe fitted with a filter to fix in a 70-foot deep bore is required for clean water to travel down. The estimated cost is around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000.