Open house: What steps should the govt take to ensure setting up of rainwater harvesting system at homes?

Give incentives to encourage people

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In order to set up rainwater harvesting system at homes, the government should encourage dwellers by declaring incentives for them. Also, the government should create awareness regarding benefits of installing rainwater harvesting system at homes.

Sanjay Chawla

Check Depleting groundwater level

We know that water level is going down day by day. Saving water is therefore very important. We need to conserve rainwater. People in India should contribute every year to save rainwater. Of 100 per cent rainfall, only 6 per cent is saved. People who live in villages dig up a large pit in front of their houses to collect rainwater. With the water thus saved, we can wash our cars, water plants and use them for various other activities. The depleting groundwater level can thus be improved. We can also use large containers or tubes to collect rainwater and utilize them later as per our needs and convenience.

Subhkarman Kaur Randhawa

Conserve rainwater, save on water bills

Rainwater harvesting is an effective and valuable solution to water scarcity and also to replenish the groundwater. Depleting groundwater level is a significant problem, and rainwater harvesting can provide substantial relief. This sustainable practice involves collecting, storing and using rainwater for various purposes, such as irrigation, washing and drinking. By installing a proper rainwater harvesting system, we can save money on water bills for municipal supplies and conserve water as well. Currently, during the monsoon season, much rainwater is wasted due to inadequate efforts to preserve it. Given the rapidly depleting water table in many regions of the state, it is crucial for households and commercial establishments to adopt water conservation techniques. The process entails collecting and storing rainwater using artificially designed systems that run off naturally or from man-made catchment areas such as rooftops, compounds, rock surfaces and vacant land spaces. Although implementing such systems individually may seem cost-intensive, expenses can be minimised significantly through collective community efforts, planning and government support. Civic bodies must dig reverse wells to conserve rainwater for recharging the groundwater table, and it is vital that the administration provides the necessary financial and technical assistance. The United Nations has already warned India about the rapidly depleting groundwater due to deforestation and intense urbanisation. Therefore, it is the paramount responsibility of citizens to save every drop of water for their own survival and safety of future generations.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Take care of community needs

Monsoon season is an ideal time for harvesting rainwater for both mass consumption and replenishment of depleting groundwater level. For this purpose, both the government and people are expected to work by collaborating and implementing the strategic planning for harvesting rainwater. At the government level, construction of new buildings, either commercial or residential, without the scientific and sustainable provision of harvesting and conserving rainwater, should not be approved. The guidelines on the subject should be publicised through paper and electronic media. For the existing buildings, either private or institutional, a time-bound programme can be prepared for installation of the system while providing mechanisms with support of subsidy to bear the major part of expenses. Outside the urban area and in rural areas, recharge wells as per specifications to replenish the ground water should be constructed. The needs of the community for non-drinking water from such sources can also be taken care of. Vanishing water bodies can be revived for collecting rainwater which can help in recharging groundwater through a natural process.

Jagdish Chander

Opt for sustainable water management

Rainwater harvesting systems are a valuable initiative for sustainable water management at homes. These systems involve various components such as catchment areas (rooftops), gutters, storage tanks, filters and distribution systems. To encourage the adoption of rainwater harvesting, the government can take several key steps. First, the government can ensure timely implementation of Centrally sponsored AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme, launched in 2021, covering all the statutory towns of the country, thus ensuring universal coverage of water supply. The initiative also focuses on the rejuvenation of water bodies, urban aquifer management, and promoting recycling, reuse and rainwater harvesting to augment freshwater resources and maintain a positive groundwater balance in urban aquifer systems. Additionally, raising awareness through public campaigns, workshops and educational programmes about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and providing guidance on system installation can go a long way in helping people. Moreover, to encourage homeowners to install rainwater harvesting systems, the government can offer financial incentives or tax concessions, subsidies and low-interest loans. It is also important to frame policies requiring rainwater harvesting for new constructions or renovations and provide technical training for plumbers, builders and homeowners on system design, installation and maintenance. Online resources, manuals and videos can be provided to guide homeowners. Furthermore, regular monitoring and evaluation of rainwater harvesting systems should be mandatory to ensure compliance and functionality. Performance assessment should be conducted to assess the impact of installed systems on water conservation and groundwater recharge. Lastly, collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups can help promote rainwater harvesting and encourage community-driven initiatives for widespread adoption, contributing to water conservation and resilience.

Kulwant Singh Phull

Conserve water, don’t waste it

At places where water scarcity is a big problem and groundwater level is depleting, it is very important to make the best use of rainwater, which is pure, free from impurities and chemicals.

Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable practice to collect, store and use it for many purposes like washing clothes, cleaning utensils and flushing. The easiest method is to store rainwater in a barrel or tank to be used later on. It is the cheapest method. The government should ensure that plans for all the newly built residential colonies should not be cleared without rainwater harvesting system. It should be compulsory for all the industries to install the system to fulfill their daily needs. Water conservation rather than wastage of water is must. Rainwater harvesting enables groundwater level to be further sustained rather than get depleted.

Shashi Kiran

Carry out plan efficiently

The monsoon season comes as a relief to people after the scorching heat, but this blessing could turn into a disaster in disguise considering the continuous lack of efforts in the state by the Municipal Corporation. If the required measures are not taken, the accumulation of excessive rainwater could lead to flooding and the overflow of sewers. In order to mitigate these incidents, rainwater harvesting stands out as one of the most effective methods to prevent these from occurring. However, the tragic truth is that not only the government but also the common people are not aware about how to implement it by ensuring its proper uses and precautions. If the installation of the rainwater collection system is not performed proficiently, then in that case, there is a high risk of mosquitoes breeding and diseases like dengue and malaria affecting people adversely. Nevertheless, if certain steps are followed cautiously and tenaciously, monsoon will cause no trouble to the people of Punjab. Primarily, the government should arrange for comprehensive awareness programmes that include informative speeches and educational initiatives about rainwater harvesting. These programmes are essential to enlighten the public about the current situation, encouraging them to collaborate with the authorities and grasp the gravity of the circumstances. Secondly, as the whole project of water collecting system installation involves both money and time, the higher authorities should invest a huge sum in this project to aid and encourage the people. Additionally, there should be a formation of government-organised groups of architects and plumbers dedicated to this project who can go around the city and analyse the houses and flats to figure out a blueprint of either individual or joint rainwater harvesting pumps and wells to be formed in communities and condos. Last, but not the least, it is essential to carry out the whole plan efficiently, quickly and diligently to make cities free of the fear of water accumulation so that people can enjoy the monsoon in peace and make precise use of fresh rainwater. Additionally, these exemplary efforts will save Mother Earth and increase the capacity of fresh potable water in our country.

Lakshit Jindal

Difficult to implement in old city areas

It is easy to introduce rainwater harvesting mechanism in new buildings and houses that are under construction but it is difficult to introduce this mechanism in the old cities which are already thickly populated with narrow lanes. Even then, this mechanism can be introduced in parks or schools. The rainwater harvesting system will be successful only if all the norms are followed because if proper norms are not followed, there is always a fear of groundwater getting polluted. The best alternative of recharging groundwater is of following the same mechanism in the canals, and digging of ponds where land is available so that through seepage of water from the ponds, groundwater is recharged. Even when it rains, the ponds will be filled to capacity and pave the way through seepage, recharging the groundwater level. It is up to the administration to ensure that when the house plan is approved, planting of a tree and strictly following the pattern of rainwater harvesting is made mandatory. It will certainly yield positive and effective results in future.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Inform about ways to save rainwater

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rain rather than allowing it to run off. We get approximately 400 million hectares of water from rainfall annually but are not able to save rainwater. Actually, it is not our fault because we don’t know how to save rainwater. We are not aware of the methods that are applied to save rainwater. It is the government’s duty to spread awareness among the people in villages. The government should inform the people about the easiest methods to save rainwater. There are so many methods for storing rainwater, but rooftop rainwater harvesting is one of the most common and cost-effective ways in villages. It involves installing gutters and downspouts on rooftops to channel rainwater into storage tanks. Moreover, the easiest and cheapest method for storing rainwater for homes is called rain barrels. In this method, barrels are installed below the downspouts of a rooftop guttering system. We can conserve rainwater by applying the above methods, and the stored water can be used for many purposes.

Sucha Singh Sagar

Efforts can make system popular

Water is elixir of life… Jal hai to kal hai, Jal hi jiwan hai. We hear such catchy slogans daily as part of awareness campaigns. Otherwise too, we are profoundly associated with the vitality of this precious treasure called water. It is a fact that the level of groundwater is decreasing day by day. On the other hand, when it falls in abundance in the form of rain, we let it go unused. So, rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour. Now the question that arises is how this priceless fortune can be saved and stored when it falls in the form of rain. First, many of us are not acquainted with the concept. So, it has to be defined. By arranging seminars and talks in educational institutions, awareness can be created. Through electronic and print media, the government should widely advertise its concept and importance. Secondly, the equipment needed for rainwater harvesting should be easily available and that too at reasonable prices. Thirdly, the buildings, both residential and commercial which are under construction, must have this system. The authorities concerned should make it compulsory. So extensive awareness campaigns, easy availability of equipment and strict implementation can surely bring about good results. We can succeed in making this system popular with some effort. Let us join hands and save this precious lifeline of mankind before it bids adieu.

Anjali Kumar

QUESTION for next week

Sadak Surakhya Force was launched with much fanfare by the government to reduce vehicular accident deaths and assist the victims. However, accident cases are on the rise. What additional steps should be taken to check the loss of life due to road accidents?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to jalandhardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (July 25)