Bill to make rainwater harvesting a must soon

Concerned over depleting ground water level resulting to acute shortage of fresh drinking water, the Centre is mulling to bring out legislation to restrict unregulated use of potable water across the country. The proposed new law, which would be introduced as Water Conservation Bill, makes it mandatory for states to adopt rainwater harvesting mechanism.

Explaining about the new bill–which is in primary stage, Water Resource secretary Shashi Shekhar said, “The ministry is working on to bring out a legislation to deal with depleting groundwater level issue as the present situation is worrying and the government is taking every necessary measure to address the issue. That is why in the new legislation, the Centre has proposed to make rainwater harvesting a mandatory.” Every state will have to follow the mandatory norms in the proposed bill, he added.

Commenting on the issue, Union Water Resource Minister Uma Bharti said, “We are very much aware of the fact that groundwater level in depleting day by day, so we have to initiate corrective measures to make available fresh water to people living in both rural and urban areas. Interlinking of rivers is a key move initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government.”

“Fresh water, whether it is surface water, ground water or reserved rain water, cannot be used for every purpose. We would have to bring clarity on the uses it can be put to and the purposes it cannot be used for. Otherwise, we are staring at a huge water problem in the country. We will need to find a solution to this,” Bharti said on the sidelines of a function. 

Bharti also stressed that awareness campaign would also be launched to educate people about rainwater harvesting.

The Water Resource Ministry is organising fourth edition of India Water Week from April 4 to 8 and the theme is “water for all: striving together”. Israel will be associated as the partner country for this mega event.