Introduction:

By 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions and an eventual loss of around 6% of the country’s GDP. About 75 % of households do not have drinking water at home, 84% rural households do not have piped water access, and 70% of India’s water is contaminated, with the country currently ranked 120 among 122 in the water quality Index.

Body:

Solutions for water harvesting in India:-

• Incentivize and Promote Water Harvesting: The government can incentivize and promote water harvesting by providing tax rebates, subsidies, and other incentives to individuals and organizations that implement water harvesting systems. This would encourage more people to adopt this practice.
• E.g. In 2015, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a 50% subsidy on the cost of installing water harvesting systems in households in urban areas.
• Create Awareness: Many people are not aware of the benefits of water harvesting, which hampers its adoption. The government can create awareness through campaigns and advertisements on various media platforms.
  E.g. The Union government launched the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ campaign in 2019 to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and encourage the adoption of water harvesting.
• Mandate Water Harvesting: Making water harvesting mandatory in urban areas would ensure that more people adopt this practice. The government can make it a requirement for new construction projects to have water harvesting systems installed.
  E.g. In 2001, the Karnataka government made it mandatory for all buildings with an area of 1200 sq. ft or more to have water harvesting systems installed.
• Use Innovative Techniques: Innovative water harvesting techniques such as rooftop rainwater harvesting, vertical gardens, and permeable pavements can be implemented in urban areas to make the most of limited space. E.g. In Mumbai, the Bombay High Court made it mandatory for all new constructions to have a rainwater harvesting system and a green cover on at least 10% of the plot area.

Conclusion:

Effective implementation of water harvesting systems in urban areas can go a long way in conserving water and mitigating the depletion of groundwater resources. These measures can be implemented by governments, local authorities, and individuals to ensure a sustainable future for all.