The Delhi government, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, plans to revive rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across the capital. This initiative aims to create an annual rainwater harvesting capacity of nearly 50 crore litres. A detailed presentation highlighted the current status of these systems, identified shortcomings, and outlined the roadmap for their restoration.
The government’s objective is to enhance rainwater conservation, boost groundwater recharge, and raise awareness about water conservation among students and the community. A comprehensive audit of rainwater harvesting infrastructure in the 75 schools has already been completed. Chief Minister Gupta emphasized the significance of rainwater harvesting, noting that Delhi receives an average annual rainfall of about 775 mm.
The harvested rainwater, collected from rooftops, can be used for various purposes such as drinking, gardening, and cleaning. The government plans to implement the ‘Ehsaas’ model for rainwater harvesting in schools, known for its cost-effectiveness, minimal space requirement, and low maintenance. This model involves filtering rainwater from rooftops, connecting it to storage units and borewells to recharge groundwater and revive dry borewells.
Technical teams have inspected all 75 schools and submitted their reports. The audit revealed that while most schools had existing rainwater harvesting systems, many were non-functional due to lack of maintenance. Issues such as blocked harvesting pits, plastic waste, and design deficiencies were identified. The government aims to rectify these problems to promote effective water conservation practices.
