Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Ultimate Goal^[1]: Storing rainwater, so that it can be used later for water supply to make Delhi self-sufficient in water

Potential^[2]

Delhi has potential to collect 917 million cubic metres (663 MGD) rainwater
-- Delhi receives an annual average rainfall of 774 mm

Feb 2024: Out of 10,704 planned, 8793 are installed and operational Rain Water Harvesting Systems in Delhi^[3]

¶ Collaboration with Denmark & Singapore^[1:1]

• CM Arvind Kejriwal had met Danish Ambassador HE Freddy Swain recently and understood the Danish rainwater conservation model. The government is considering adopting those models of Denmark in Delhi as well
• CM Kejriwal also met the High Commissioner of Singapore HE Shri Simon Wong and discussed implementing state-of-the-art solutions to strengthen ground water recharge and its extraction infrastructure in Delhi

¶ Govt buildings Compliance^[2:1]

• DJB buildings(Mar 2024): Achieved a near completion in installation of RWH system in its own buildings with 594 installations^[2:2][4]
• Schools/Colleges(March 2024): RWH implemented in 4144 out of total 4549 schools/colleges buildings and work in progress in 405 schools/colleges^[5]
• MCD(May 2023)^[6]
  • 1287 out of 2139 MCD buildings are having functional RWH. This includes 1059 Schools, 61 Community Halls, 32 Parks and 37 Roads
  • 374 sites were not feasible for RWH
  • MCD identified 54 non-functional sites and additional 424 new sites where RWH can be installed at cost of 39.12Cr

¶ Road side RWH pits^[7]

• Delhi had around 927 RWH pits till July 2022
• Delhi PWD department floated tenders for the additional construction of 1500 RWH pits across the city on 10 July 2022

¶ Parks RWH

• MCD installed RWH pits at 258 parks where tubewells were dry and not giving water by 26 Aug 2022^[8]

¶ Metro Station RWH(March 2023)^[9]

• RWH provision is available at 64 stations now
• It will arrange more 52 recharge pits RWH in all elevated stations being constructed in Phase 4

¶ Process for House/Office RWH systems^[2:3]

• RWH systems were made mandatory in 2012 for plots sized above 100 square metres in the city
• But the Compliance is Low

Financial Assistance for Better Compliance

• Sept 2021: Financial Assistance announced^[10]
  • DJB is providing slabwise financial assistance upto Rs 50000 for installation of RWH
• Sep 2021: Relaxed the compliance guidelines^[10:1]
  • No longer be mandatory to take DJB certification for rainwater harvesting systems from now on
  • Installed RWH systems can be certified by an architect registered with the Council of Architecture
• Oct 22: Manish Sisodia said that participation of public is crucial and stressed on need to create more awareness^[2:4]

Cheaper Alternative Models

• Govt considering alternative models of RWH system. Under this model, it is possible to supply rainwater directly to the borewell instead of digging the pits for water harvesting. This also it much cheaper
• Govt also considering adopting Danish models for RWH in Delhi, under which soak pits are made in the ground

References:

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1. https://hetimes.co.in/environment/kejriwal-governkejriwal-governments-groundwater-recharge-experiment-at-palla-floodplain-reaps-great-success-2-meter-rise-in-water-table-recordedments-groundwater-recharge-experiment-at-palla-floodp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/deadline-for-rainwater-harvesting-extended-to-march-2023-following-low-compliance-101665511915790.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

3. https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/delhi/development/delhi-jal-board-claim-in-delhi-ground-water-situation-improvement-in-delhi/articleshow/107466541.cms ↩︎

4. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/capacity-of-water-treatment-plants-in-delhi-increased-marginally-in-2023-economic-survey-2917956 ↩︎

5. https://delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Planning/chapter_13.pdf ↩︎

6. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/schools-hosps-among-424-sites-to-get-rwh-systems/articleshow/100715451.cms ↩︎

7. indianexpress.com/article/delhi/work-begins-1500-rainwater-harvesting-pits-delhi-pwd-floats-tenders-8021130/ ↩︎

8. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2022/aug/26/rain-water-harvesting-systems-at-150-parks-under-mcd-officials-2491545.html ↩︎

9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/metro-phase-iv-elevated-stations-in-delhi-to-go-for-rainwater-harvesting/articleshow/98591963.cms ↩︎

10. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-jal-board-to-offer-financial-assistance-for-rainwater-harvesting-rwh-system-101631555611378.html ↩︎ ↩︎