On an average, the Pune Municipal Corporation grants 4,000 construction permits every year. The list also includes redevelopment projects.
The civic body also provides exemption on property tax for structures Rain water harvesting (RWH) System. Yet, it still does not have a single empaneled expert whom citizens can consult to set up these systems.
The lapse has derailed the PMC’s effort to do more rainwater harvesting in the city. The civic body should verify the RWH units before giving permission for building construction. But since it has no experts it can call on, the verification process has turned into a formality – with permissions being granted only on the basis of physical inspection of pipes and pits.
It is also not that the PMC can ignore this lapse. Data shows around three lakh properties in Pune – both commercial and residential – have the potential to install viable rainwater harvesting systems. These systems are very important for Pune, where hundreds of housing societies are fed by water tankers every year, despite abundant rainfall.
Other TOI experts said that rainwater harvesting is not as easy as it sounds. Several important processes have to be followed for the system to become viable.
Himanshu Kulkarni, an expert said, “Many factors including topography have to be studied at the locations where RWH units are planned.”
Kulkarni said, “The aquifer in an area and the potential for success of the project should also be taken into account. Essentially, the final decision should be taken only after surveying the location and checking whether the project is actually going to recharge the groundwater.” Will help you recharge.
Shashank Deshpande, a retired senior geologist with the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, Pune (GSDA), said the lack of PMC-scheduled experts also puts citizens at risk of being misled or cheated.
“Many people are out there to serve their own interests and may not give the best advice. Citizens should be careful while approaching contractors or agencies for doing rainwater harvesting. They may mislead in the garb of rainwater harvesting Are.” Said.
According to experts, a committee at the civic administration level is necessary to verify whether rainwater harvesting is being done properly or not. He said that many citizens do not know whom to approach for correct information. Most property owners, in fact, only store rainwater, rather than using it to recharge the water table below.
Experts also observed that many professional organizations are actually working in the field of rainwater harvesting, but they work on an industrial scale. In this situation, it becomes difficult to find agencies that can help guide small housing societies where harvesting pits can help reduce dependence on water tankers. Experts said that residents of most of these housing societies are being forced to hire and depend on plumbers, civil contractors or architects to install RWH units in their homes.
Ravindra Sinha of Bhujal Abhiyan, an organization working for groundwater conservation, said: “Property owners should refer to groundwater recharge priority maps, which will give them an idea on the need and utility of rainwater harvesting projects at their locations. It will also give them an idea about the topography of the surrounding areas. These maps are available with agencies like GSDA. ,
Rajan Shankar, a resident of Vishrantwadi, said, “But unless there is guidance, we will not know what will work.” “We have it with water tankers and we want to set up an RWH unit. But there is none that we can fully trust. RWHs are not like solar panels which have many vendors,” he said .
According to the PMC, currently only 5-8% of the 10 lakh registered properties have RWH units.
The civic body also provides exemption on property tax for structures Rain water harvesting (RWH) System. Yet, it still does not have a single empaneled expert whom citizens can consult to set up these systems.
The lapse has derailed the PMC’s effort to do more rainwater harvesting in the city. The civic body should verify the RWH units before giving permission for building construction. But since it has no experts it can call on, the verification process has turned into a formality – with permissions being granted only on the basis of physical inspection of pipes and pits.
It is also not that the PMC can ignore this lapse. Data shows around three lakh properties in Pune – both commercial and residential – have the potential to install viable rainwater harvesting systems. These systems are very important for Pune, where hundreds of housing societies are fed by water tankers every year, despite abundant rainfall.
Other TOI experts said that rainwater harvesting is not as easy as it sounds. Several important processes have to be followed for the system to become viable.
Himanshu Kulkarni, an expert said, “Many factors including topography have to be studied at the locations where RWH units are planned.”
Kulkarni said, “The aquifer in an area and the potential for success of the project should also be taken into account. Essentially, the final decision should be taken only after surveying the location and checking whether the project is actually going to recharge the groundwater.” Will help you recharge.
Shashank Deshpande, a retired senior geologist with the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, Pune (GSDA), said the lack of PMC-scheduled experts also puts citizens at risk of being misled or cheated.
“Many people are out there to serve their own interests and may not give the best advice. Citizens should be careful while approaching contractors or agencies for doing rainwater harvesting. They may mislead in the garb of rainwater harvesting Are.” Said.
According to experts, a committee at the civic administration level is necessary to verify whether rainwater harvesting is being done properly or not. He said that many citizens do not know whom to approach for correct information. Most property owners, in fact, only store rainwater, rather than using it to recharge the water table below.
Experts also observed that many professional organizations are actually working in the field of rainwater harvesting, but they work on an industrial scale. In this situation, it becomes difficult to find agencies that can help guide small housing societies where harvesting pits can help reduce dependence on water tankers. Experts said that residents of most of these housing societies are being forced to hire and depend on plumbers, civil contractors or architects to install RWH units in their homes.
Ravindra Sinha of Bhujal Abhiyan, an organization working for groundwater conservation, said: “Property owners should refer to groundwater recharge priority maps, which will give them an idea on the need and utility of rainwater harvesting projects at their locations. It will also give them an idea about the topography of the surrounding areas. These maps are available with agencies like GSDA. ,
Rajan Shankar, a resident of Vishrantwadi, said, “But unless there is guidance, we will not know what will work.” “We have it with water tankers and we want to set up an RWH unit. But there is none that we can fully trust. RWHs are not like solar panels which have many vendors,” he said .
According to the PMC, currently only 5-8% of the 10 lakh registered properties have RWH units.