The State government has formed committees of officials from the Chennai Corporation and Metrowater to develop rainwater harvesting facilities in 2 lakh buildings in the city by August 31.
Launching the drive at a workshop on Saturday, Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani said officials, including Chennai Corporation ward junior engineer, Metrowater assistant engineer, property tax collector, depot manager and sanitary inspector will start visiting houses to check rainwater harvesting facilities.
The Minister stressed on the need for developing rainwater harvesting facilities in all buildings of other districts in the State.
"The officials should help residents restore the old rainwater harvesting structures. Residents have been asked to cooperate with the officials to improve ground water recharge. Workshops on rainwater harvesting will be conducted in all districts by the collector before the end of this month," he said.
Civic officials who visit houses will give technical guidance on rainwater harvesting for residents.
"Rain in Chennai is received only for two months. If we fail to conserve rainwater, we will be left with no fresh water for the remaining period," said Mr.Velumani.
According to rainfall recharge calculation for Chennai by officials at the workshop on Sunday, the rainwater harvesting potential for a terrace of 1000 sq ft of a house is 1.2 lakh litre. The average annual rainfall in Chennai is 1200 mm and the amount of rainwater harvested a year will be 1.99 TMC ft.
