Buildings without RWH in Chennai are in for trouble

K Ramanathan

 

The Chennai Corporation is all set to make it tough for buildings without Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) structures. Fearing water scarcity, which may haunt the city in the coming days due to inadequate rainfall, the Corporation has decided tighten its grip on new buildings and also the existing ones, which do not have RWH facility.

To make it compulsory on new buildings coming up across the city, the top municipal body has instructed departments concerned to issue plan approvals after verifying the presence of such facility. According to experts, the move is seen as a step towards replenishing ground water level across the city.

To implement the system within the city limits, the corporation has instructed its zonal executive engineers who will check the existing buildings whether they have RWH structure. 

“Action will be initiated against owner or occupier of a building if he or she does not comply with the order by providing RWH structures,” said an official.

Welcoming the move, Suresh Menon, President, resident welfare association of Opal Flats in Nerkundram, said, “We are already facing water problem in our flat. People around the neighbourhood have started putting bore wells and this trend should be streamlined. Authorities concerned should initiate proceedings on those who put bore wells without permission. Earlier, they used to go down up to 70-80 feet, but now they are putting bore up to 120-130 feet to get water. It is a commendable move by the government to implement RWH facility at homes. This will help to recharge the ground water and will also come handy at the time of water crisis.”

To make it tough on violators, the top civic body will revoke their building plan approval and recommend metro water department to disconnect the water supply connection to the building.

“A circular has also been issued to various zonal offices in Chennai asking officials not to give permission to cut the road to avail the metro water connections until the building has RWH facility,” said the official, adding, “We have also instructed them to provide sewage and EB connection on showing this structure.”

Not only for residential buildings, the civic body has also decided to implement the norm for commercial buildings. Those commercial buildings, which do not have this facility, will have to face strictures from the civic body. The civic body has also facilitated rainwater harvesting in its buildings, parks and playgrounds to conserve water.

On the cost factor to have RWH facility at home, an expert from the water department said, “It doesn’t cost much. For an individual home having 800 sq ft space, it may cost between Rs 5000-Rs10,000. The cost would vary depending upon the number of pipe connections to the recharge pit.”

The RWH movement was first launched in the state in 2001. It has had a tremendous impact in recharging the groundwater table all over Tamil Nadu. Amendments made to Section 215 (a) of the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 and Building Rules 1973, have made it mandatory to provide RWH structures in all new buildings.