Faridabad: Most rainwater harvesting systems ‘inactive’

Faridabad: Over 200 rainwater harvesting systems in the city have fallen into disrepair due to lack of maintenance and upkeep. This poses a risk of waterlogging and loss of recharge of groundwater table. Though the municipal corporation is yet to launch a clean-up drive ahead of monsoon, poor infrastructure is perhaps a major reason behind the waterlogging problem. Sources in the municipal administration claim that heavy dependence on tubewells for drinking water supply and poor recharge of groundwater sources have led to the depletion of water table. Though a large number of harvesting systems were installed several years ago under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), most of these are still not functional due to poor maintenance, it is said. Lack of proper enforcement of building bylaws mandating provision of rainwater harvesting in residential and commercial buildings has also adversely affected the rules. “Several lakhs of rupees were spent on the development of harvesting points in public parks, school buildings and government building premises in 2008-09 under a central government-sponsored programme, but the objective has largely failed due to maintenance-related issues,” says retired officer Rattan Lal. Sources say nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the systems were not functioning due to blockages, damage or faulty placement. “Faulty design of many systems has rendered them almost useless,” said AK Gaur, who was involved in one such survey conducted on behalf of the civic body. He said since many harvesting points are not regularly cleaned or repaired, clogging of inlet points with solid waste, improper alignment and open pits are common. He said severe waterlogging even after normal rainfall has been a matter of concern. Measures regarding maintenance have been inadequate. As per a Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report, the city is in an over-exploited area, so the water level has dropped between 300 feet and 500 feet in the last two decades. While the Haryana Building Code (Bye-laws) 2017 envisages installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting in any building having a roof area of ​​100 sq m or more, it is mandatory for buildings having a plot area of ​​500 sq m or more. MCF superintending engineer Ombir Singh said instructions have been issued to all division heads to ensure cleaning and maintenance before the onset of the rainy season. He said maintenance of such infrastructure is a routine exercise.