On the one hand, there are campaigns by government agencies to conserve water, especially rainwater. On the other, there are cases of water being wasted due to errors of omission by the same agencies.
Here’s a classic example. The pipelines under the Usman Road flyover in T. Nagar, which are a part of a rainwater harvesting mechanism, leaks during rains.
Residents say the faulty pipelines have not been repaired or replaced by the Corporation, for years. Now, whenever it rains, buckets can be seen hanging right below the damaged points of the pipelines.
The hawkers operating under the flyover have done this, guided not by water conservation goals but by their own interests.
“The dripping water keeps customers away. No one wants to get wet while shopping. The dripping water damages our wares too,” says a vendor.
A few buckets hang on a rope tied to pillars. When filled to the brim, a bucket is brought down, emptied and returned to its place. “We started this practice a few years ago. Around three or four buckets are tied to the leaking pipeline,” the hawkers say.
Ram Shankar of SWARAN, a citizens network that is concerned with conservation of freshwater sources, says “It’s not enough to install RWH structures on flyovers. They have to be maintained regularly too.” For RWH-related issues, write to save.freshwater@gmail.com.
Sekar Raghavan of Rain Centre says the problem is often inherent in the design. “The recharge wells are badly designed. A uniform formula was implemented for the entire city, when soil conditions in each area should have directed the design. Lack of maintenance has aggravated the problem. Pipes have to fixed and pits de-silted. Without this, any RWH investment is only wasteful.”
