Latest news with #RWH
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
DJB withdrew water bill rebate over rainwater harvesting violation in Dwarka societies, NGT told
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has withdrawn a 10% rebate granted in water bills from 119 societies in Dwarka, and issued disconnection notices after rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems there were either found missing or dysfunctional. The Delhi government had made RWH systems mandatory in 2012 and as per law, non-compliance can attract a penalty of 1.5 times the water bill amount. (FILE) The water agency has also written to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to impose an environmental compensation (EC) on such societies for polluting the groundwater table. NGT has been hearing a plea since February 2023, after a Dwarka resident alleged that RWH pits in the sub-city were leading to groundwater contamination. A joint inspection by an NGT-appointed expert committee in May 2023, which included members from DPCC and DJB, had initially found RWH pits at 235 societies in Dwarka, with high ammoniacal nitrogen and high total dissolved solids found in 180 of these societies. A subsequent inspection, as per a report dated March 27, had found 115 societies had faecal coliform, with another four societies not having a RWH pit operational. 'That DJB…as per the findings of the survey conducted, has sent a letter to DPCC dated January 1, 2025 for imposing EC to the defaulters,' said a submission dated July 22, apprising the tribunal of action taken so far. It said on the same day, a report was sent to the director (revenue) for imposing a penalty too. 'That Director (Revenue) on March 24 informed that the 10% rebate or RwH in water bills in the said 119 societies where RwH system was not found to be functional, has been withdrawn...' the report added, stating as a punitive action, each of the 119 societies was warned that their water supply will be disconnected if corrective action was not taken. Since then, 55 societies have responded, the water utility said. 'Among these, eight did not have faecal coliform and ammoniacal nitrogen. In 19 of these, faecal coliform was still found. In another nine societies, pits were found dry and samples will be collected in the monsoon season,' it said, adding that 12 societies had sought additional time. In two societies, RWH pits were dysfunctional, and in five, rectification work was ongoing. The Delhi government had made RWH systems mandatory in 2012 and as per law, non-compliance can attract a penalty of 1.5 times the water bill amount. A 10% rebate is given on the water bill if an RWH system is installed. It is also mandatory for government buildings in Delhi to have RWH. However, maintenance of these structures has long been a problem. DJB in March last year also issued an order, asking water consumers to ensure the run-off of waste water from balconies and parking spaces does not contaminate the groundwater through RWH pits, stating failure to do so may lead to withdrawal of the rebate provided to users.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
The pits? Rainwater rule is a runoff in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: As Hyderabad grapples with water shortages and drying borewells, rainwater harvesting remains largely ignored, despite clear mandates from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Between 2020 and 2025, GHMC issued 69,575 building permits. Of these, 23,239 required rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS), yet only 33% complied. In 2024–25 alone, just 4,578 out of 11,509 approved buildings had soak pits. Only 2,036 received occupancy certificates, even though RWHS completion is mandatory. Water sustainability expert Kalpana Ramesh, founder of The Rainwater Project, attributed this to apathy and poor enforcement. 'Even large gated communities let lakhs of litres flow into drains. A 1,000 sq. ft terrace can harvest one lakh litres a year,' she told TNIE, adding that instead of harvesting, crores are spent on deep borewells tapping contaminated, non-renewable groundwater. She warned that rampant concrete construction blocks natural percolation, worsening the crisis. Conservationists are now demanding a zero-discharge policy, with penalties for diverting rainwater into stormwater drains (SWDs). 'If we're fined for sewage violations, why not for wasting clean rainwater?' Kalpana asked, noting that the lost water contributes to urban flooding. Follow-up inspections are lacking, too. Srinivasa Rao, general secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, said soak pits are often dismantled or repurposed as parking or landscaped areas. He suggested levying a 25% property tax penalty if RWHS is missing during random inspections. 'Guidelines alone don't help; we need enforcement,' he told TNIE. The urgency is growing. Many borewells in the city and outskirts went dry this summer, forcing residents to rely on costly water tankers. GHMC has issued advisories urging homeowners without soak pits to construct them immediately. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has deployed geologists to help design recharge systems as the monsoon arrives. Kalpana emphasised that Hyderabad receives enough rain. 'The problem is runoff, not shortage. If you're not harvesting rainwater or recycling greywater, you're part of the problem,' she said. Although the Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA) mandates RWHS for properties over 200 sq. metres, weak enforcement renders it toothless. Notices to be issued to 16K households that failed to construct RWH pits: HMWSSB Hyderabad: HMWSSB has decided to issue notices to 16,000 households for failing to construct Rainwater Harvesting Structures (RWHS). So far, with the help of NGOs, 12,000 water harvesting pits have already been constructed and maintained. HMWSSB managing director K Ashok Reddy explained that the recent deficiency in rainfall has caused groundwater levels to decline in many areas, resulting in a steady increase in water tanker requests. To address this, RWHS are now mandatory for all households with plots larger than 300 square yards and recommended for those above 200 square yards. Following the directives of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, HMWSSB has initiated a three-month awareness campaign. Ashok Reddy further informed that water tankers are being delivered within 24 hours of booking. In summer, 11,000 tankers were delivered daily; at present, the demand stands at 8,500 tankers per day.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
APFERWAS encourages RWAs to adopt RWH system
Visakhapatnam: At a time when several parts of the world face severe water crisis and freshwater resources dwindling due to ill effects of global warming and climate change, Andhra Pradesh Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (APFERWAS) has set an example for bringing out sustainable and a long-term solution by promoting rainwater harvesting system. Encouraging residents' welfare associations further to direct rainwater into the harvesting pits, a brochure was brought out by the APFERWAS that serves as a practical guide for the RWAs, NGOs and residents to follow simple methods to set up rainwater harvesting (RWH) pits and conserve water. Already, APFERWAS received four national awards for adopting and promoting rainwater harvesting system for the past six years in recognition of its collective contribution to overcome urban water crisis. On Wednesday, Visakhapatnam east MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishnababu unveiled the brochure in presence of president of APFERWAS Uday Shirname, vice president KSR Murthy, among others. Through the brochure, the APFERWAS team described how the RWH project has been taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Federation of RWAs (APFERWAS) in the city of Visakhapatnam, for the past six years along with its outreach programmes. 'In India we have only 4 percent of the world water resources, barely sufficient for the 150 crore of population. Cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi face acute water problems during summer,' the APFERWAS representatives reiterated. Some of these cities experience severe urban flooding during the monsoon rains because of improper water conservation measures and ill-planned urban development, encroachment upon the urban freshwater bodies, among others. The brochure serves as a guide on site selection, construction of the RWH pit, the material to be used, and the design of the pit along with other details. It is a step-by-step guide for people to install the RWH pits in their homes, vacant sites, parks and other suitable locations, with the information given in the brochure. 'Also, we have been sensitising a number of residents in various colonies on the need to conserve water by organising frequent awareness programmes, seminars and distribution of pamphlets. Most of RWAs of APFERWAS in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other cities of Andhra Pradesh are implementing RWH in colonies,' the APFERWAS representatives emphasisedAs community-level efforts would pay dividends in addressing the growing water crisis in the country, the APFERWAS intends to reach out to as many RWAs as possible and encourage them to adopt the RWH system.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Lucknow buildings high & dry, bereft of rainwater harvesting benefits
LUCKNOW : Despite being legally bound under UP Building Bylaws 2016 for plots larger than 300 square metres, many high-rise apartment buildings in the city have either no rainwater harvesting system or a non-functional one. Ahead of monsoon's arrival, reality check by TOI in various areas of the city revealed gaps in implementation, raising concerns about falling groundwater levels. Lucknow Development Authority includes rainwater harvesting provisions while approving building plans. The ground reality, however, paints a different picture. A recent survey by TOI and feedback from residents in areas like Gomtinagar, Jankipuram Extension and a private apartment in Gomtinagar found this important water-saving system missing or non-functional. At Parijat Apartments in Gomtinagar, society's secretary Harsh Bardhan confirmed that the RWH system was functional in only two of five towers — Tower 2 and Tower 3. The remaining three towers (B1, B2, and Tower 1) lack the necessary infrastructure. "Total built-up area of our society is over 17,000 square metres, which makes RWH mandatory for every tower. We have raised the issue multiple times with LDA, but there has been no response," Bardhan said. In Sunrise Apartments, in Jankipuram Extension, situation is even more alarming. Vikas Chandra Agrawal, recently elected president of the residents welfare association, said, "RWH was part of the original plan, but was never implemented. The apartment project faced major delays due to interference from farmers' unions. Although process of taking possession began in 2015, even amenities that were promised, like swimming pool and gym, were never constructed. We want RWH and other promised facilities to be delivered." At Panchsheel Apartments in Indiranagar, resident S P Singh said there was no rainwater harvesting system. "No rainwater is collected from rooftops or surface and there is no system to recharge groundwater. The project was supposed to have been complete by 2014, but residents moved in only by 2020. With 216 flats in two towers and a large area, there should have been a rainwater system. But the builder didn't even mention it in the advertisement. We have been busy dealing with other broken promises, like community centre that was never built. There is no official residents' association yet, so we are still waiting for LDA to help," he said. It's a mixed situation in other parts of the city. At Srishti Apartments in Vrindavan Yojna, RWH system is functional, but in nearby Smriti Apartments, it exists only on paper. "We have the setup, but it doesn't work," said Sujit Sahu, a resident. In a private builder's apartment in Gomtinagar, RWA president Mohan Lal Sahu, said the promised RWH tanks were never constructed despite signboards being installed years ago. "They marked locations for tanks in parks and put up boards saying 'Rainwater Harvesting,' but no tanks were built. Some of us moved in as early as in 2013, and since then, in every society meeting, we've been told 'We will build it,' but nothing has been done. Now, even boards have faded or disappeared." When asked to comment, LDA vice chairman Prathamesh Kumar said, "Since Sunrise Apartments has been handed over to its RWA, it is their responsibility. For other apartments under our authority, like Panchsheel and Parijat, we will look into the matter and take steps to fix it." (Input from Varun Bhatt)
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Lucknow buildings high & dry, bereft of rainwater harvesting benefits
Lucknow: Despite being legally bound under UP Building Bylaws 2016 for plots larger than 300 square metres, many high-rise apartment buildings in the city have either no rainwater harvesting system or a non-functional one. Ahead of monsoon's arrival, reality check by TOI in various areas of the city revealed gaps in implementation, raising concerns about falling groundwater levels. Lucknow Development Authority includes rainwater harvesting provisions while approving building plans. The ground reality, however, paints a different picture. A recent survey by TOI and feedback from residents in areas like Gomtinagar, Jankipuram Extension and a private apartment in Gomtinagar found this important water-saving system missing or non-functional. At Parijat Apartments in Gomtinagar, society's secretary Harsh Bardhan confirmed that the RWH system was functional in only two of five towers — Tower 2 and Tower 3. The remaining three towers (B1, B2, and Tower 1) lack the necessary infrastructure. "Total built-up area of our society is over 17,000 square metres, which makes RWH mandatory for every tower. We have raised the issue multiple times with LDA, but there has been no response," Bardhan said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In Sunrise Apartments, in Jankipuram Extension, situation is even more alarming. Vikas Chandra Agrawal, recently elected president of the residents welfare association, said, "RWH was part of the original plan, but was never implemented. The apartment project faced major delays due to interference from farmers' unions. Although process of taking possession began in 2015, even amenities that were promised, like swimming pool and gym, were never constructed. We want RWH and other promised facilities to be delivered." At Panchsheel Apartments in Indiranagar, resident S P Singh said there was no rainwater harvesting system. "No rainwater is collected from rooftops or surface and there is no system to recharge groundwater. The project was supposed to have been complete by 2014, but residents moved in only by 2020. With 216 flats in two towers and a large area, there should have been a rainwater system. But the builder didn't even mention it in the advertisement. We have been busy dealing with other broken promises, like community centre that was never built. There is no official residents' association yet, so we are still waiting for LDA to help," he said. It's a mixed situation in other parts of the city. At Srishti Apartments in Vrindavan Yojna, RWH system is functional, but in nearby Smriti Apartments, it exists only on paper. "We have the setup, but it doesn't work," said Sujit Sahu, a resident. In a private builder's apartment in Gomtinagar, RWA president Mohan Lal Sahu, said the promised RWH tanks were never constructed despite signboards being installed years ago. "They marked locations for tanks in parks and put up boards saying 'Rainwater Harvesting,' but no tanks were built. Some of us moved in as early as in 2013, and since then, in every society meeting, we've been told 'We will build it,' but nothing has been done. Now, even boards have faded or disappeared." When asked to comment, LDA vice chairman Prathamesh Kumar said, "Since Sunrise Apartments has been handed over to its RWA, it is their responsibility. For other apartments under our authority, like Panchsheel and Parijat, we will look into the matter and take steps to fix it." (Input from Varun Bhatt)
