Quality stands next to quantity
By Santanu Bose
According to a report by TERI, the average consumption in Delhi is estimated at 240 litres per capita per day (lpcd), which is the highest in the country. The water demand is increasing as the city attracts more than four lakh entrants each year. Both quality and availability is deteriorating because of excessive withdrawal of the water below surface. The more we depend on ground the more the quality goes down. But the city could easily utilise various baolis (wells) to meet their water requirement. "No attempt was made to clean up the channels through which rainwater flowed into the baoli. There is no proper maintenance. These baolis could help meet city's water crisis," says Suneeta Narain of centre for Science and Environment.

Pouring excuses, dying plans
By Santanu Bose
Delhi has received record-breaking rains this year. But if you are of the idea that it helped recharge city's water table to a significant amount, think again. Experts say the much-touted rainwater harvesting initiatives that various civic societies have been talking about are merely an eyewash and, hence, futile. The ground reality is completely different. Says Sunita Narain, director of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), "Every year, precious water flows into stormwater drains - choked with sewage and other waste material - and then floods vehicle-laden roads. While fresh and clean rainwater literally goes down the drain, it could have been effectively used to recharge various water bodies of the city," she adds.

Dams, Water Resources & Traditional Water Harvesting Systems
Sheila Dikshit: Can the rains end her reign?
The state BJP is less of a threat, but what has brought the reasonably popular state government to its knees is the heavy monsoon. For parts, of Delhi are on the verge of collapse. The congress had put its faith in water harvesting projects. The chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, has repeatedly talked about the issue. "For almost a year now state government agencies have been chanting of mantra of rainwater harvesting. A plethora of by-laws and notifications have been created. Financial incentives have been announced and promises of technical assistance have been made. But while evolving these grand schemes, the government has forgotten to take care of the basic, rudimentary infrastructure that is required to ensure that the monsoon showers do not go waste," said Sunita Narain, director, Centre for Science and Environment.

RWH….soon a reality
With the Government's ordinance making rainwater harvesting mandatory in buildings, old or new before August 31, Chennaiites can approach several agencies who are involved in installing the structures. Mandavelipakkam's III Trust Link Street is distinct from others with its model house on RWH called Rain Centre. This 'home', featuring poster panels and providing the venue for screening of RWH films, has a sump, a loft tank for immediate use and an open well for recharging. The Rain Centre became a reality thanks to the combined efforts of the Akash Ganga Trust, Centre for Science and Environment, Chennai Corporation, CMWSSB and the TWAD Board.

The Rain Centre
A local place where people can see and learn how to undertake rainwater harvesting (RWH) from the display of posters, models of water harvesting structures, and first- hand advise from the experts. And it will be called the rain centre. This was how Anil Agarwal, founder director of CSE, visualised it. He evolved the idea of setting up a network of such centres across the country, in a bid to inform and educate the urban Indians.

Water crisis stalks the land of Ganges
‘Rainwater harvesting a washout this monsoon’ says CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) Paddy `depresses` water table in Punjab

By K Sunil Thomas
Recycling children
It is that time of the year again when water shortage assumes megaproportions in the city. The Delhi government’s favourite solution to the water crisis is rainwater harvesting. The Centre for Science and Environment, the NGO that brought out the report that most mineral water brands do not maintain standards, too, has an advertising campaign alogn these lines. The newly-opened designer flyover at the AIIMS crossing also has provisions for rainwater harvesting in its landscaped portion.

Days of easy water are over
Social scientists say the days of easy water are over. If the issue of scarcity of the planet's most essential natural resource is not addressed on a war footing every summer will see severe conflicts over water. Adds Sunita Narain, the director of the all important Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), "If something is not done about the water crisis in our cities there's going to be a flash point. With our population growth getting out of hand we are heading for big trouble."