A new drive to harvest rain water

HYDERABAD: In a bid to encourage rain water harvesting and improve the depleting groundwater levels in the city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will begin a new initiative from June 1. It plans to build rain water harvesting structures or pits in more than 23,000 houses across the twin cities in one year.However, the pits will be built in buildings/houses constructed after 2005 and which have got water connections thereafter. Besides, buildings built on 200 sq yards or more will only be covered under this programme. The cost of these works has already been paid for by the owners of the buildings at the time of taking water connections. The pit size will be about six cubic meters in an area of 100 meters in each house. Rain water harvesting is mandatory for houses built on more than 200 sq yards and owners of such buildings will have to pay a penalty if they do not have rain water harvesting structures or pits.Currently, in Hyderabad, only 10-15 per cent of houses have rain water harvesting pits. Due to less amount of rainfall last year, the groundwater levels depleted rapidly this year and the GHMC’s new drive is expected to recharge the groundwater table. Rain water harvesting is nothing but depositing rain water in the ground, so that groundwater levels remain high. This helps when borewells are dug. But since these days, cement is used extensively in constructions, rain water can no longer seep into the ground.In areas like Maredpally, underground water level is the deepest at 26 metres. Ameerpet comes next with 19.6 metres and Nampally third at 13.3 metres. These are the latest stats provided by the HMWS&SB. As per records, since 2006, groundwater levels have gone down across the city causing water shortage. However, there has been an increase in water levels in areas like Bahadurpura, Shaikpet and Musheerabad mandals.“It is best to build rain water harvesting pits during construction of buildings, as it will cost much less and will also be very helpful to everyone. The decision to launch a campaign was taken by our Managing Director Adhar Sinha,” said  J Satyanarayana, rain water harvesting cell, HMWS&SB. Construction of rain water harvesting pits during pre-monsoon season on rooftops and also by way of removal of top sand layer during pre-monsoon are ways to ensure that groundwater is recharged during the monsoon period.