Delhi govt study recommends mandatory water-harvesting systems

A study instituted by the Delhi government has recommended mandatory water-harvesting systems on residential and commercial plots measuring 500 sq metres or above and suggested construction of 44 check dams and 480 new water bodies to recharge ground water level in the capital.
The report has also recommended that existing storm water drains should have soft beds instead of cemented ones and toe weirs at intervals.
Delhi Irrigation Minister Gopal Rai had ordered the study on recharge of ground water in the national capital five months ago. His department then assigned INTACH to conduct the study.
Rai has asked all stakeholders to provide their comments within a month so that suggestions can be incorporated in the report for acceptance and implementation.

The study has recommended construction of 44 check dams in forest areas besides 480 new water bodies to increase the depleting ground water level in Delhi.
As per the report, water harvesting should be made mandatory in residential and commercial plots measuring 500 sqm or above.

"Government should also ensure 100 per cent collection of solid waste with no dumping in drains, ponds, depressions," said a senior government official.
Apart from that, the report has recommended that all residential and commercial plots measuring 300 sqm should have soft soil in their front and there should be substitute porous paving to counter the preventive effect of highly-concertised surface, the official said.

Other recommendations include implementation of building bylaw on local treatment of wastewater (wherever a premise generates 10,000 litres of water wearer daily).