Educational institutions in the city have gone big on rainwater harvesting this year. In the past five months 130 schools and colleges approached Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) requesting technical assistance to set up rainwater harvesting pits on their premises.
Of these, 60 institutions have completed the construction of harvesting pits. The
HMWSSB had started rainwater harvesting drive in April. The board had promised to cover 25% of the costs incurred by non-residential buildings which set up rainwater pits. Most institutions have set up pits of six to 12 cubic metres.
According to estimates, construction costs per cubic metre is at least ₹1,500. “The board focused on educational institutions because their numbers are high. We expect commercial establishments to follow suit,” Jala Satyanarayana, Assistant Director, Rainwater Harvesting Cell told The Hindu .
While most institutions have set up percolation pits, some have also requested assistance to set up roof-top harvesting facilities. In this mode of water harvesting, rainwater which is commonly drained from roof tops into sewage is directed towards outlets connected through a pipe to a storage tank. Water from this tank is drained into trenches, pits or existing open wells or borewells.
The Government had made it mandatory for construction of rain water harvesting or conservation structures on all premises where the plot area is more than 200 sq. mts to protect and improve the groundwater level for sustainable yields in the bore wells.
Residents reluctant
Residential areas including apartment complexes have been reluctant to set up percolation pits for lack of space. Costs involved in accurate construction of harvesting facilities also discourage the residents.
“For past one year the Board has been campaigning among residential welfare associations so that the organisations would support rainwater harvesting. The response, however, is sparse,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.
Since harvest facilities need constant maintenance many residents shy away from them, he added. As per recommendations, harvesting structures should be identifiable by display boards and they should be maintained properly by fencing to avoid accumulation of waste. Top layers of the pits should be periodically removed, cleaned and replaced to prevent silt accumulation. In most facilities observation wells are also expected to be set up to monitor water levels and quality in influence zone.
The board is expected to conduct the next awareness drive in December. Rainwater harvesting is one of the effective ways to improve groundwater level.
