For years now, before the onset of every monsoon, Mumbaikars face water crisis. Although the importance of harvesting rainwater is common knowledge to many, only a few have adopted the practise. DNA looks at those societies that lead by example
The last week of June saw water cuts in many parts of the city. The depleting water stock that is making life miserable in some parts of Maharashtra was to become a reality in the Maximum city too. Though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials assured that there would be no more water cuts despite them drawing from the reserved stock, it was high time that we accept the crisis situation and adopt measures to save and store water. To reduce the dependence on water supply from dams and tap rainwater that otherwise goes waste, the civic body must create awareness about rainwater harvesting, say experts.
"It is absolutely necessary that we tap rainwater, and reduce deforestation," said Dr Sarika Kulkarni, trustee of Raah Foundation, that works for water conservation through check dams in tribal belts.
Harvesting the nearly 3,000 mm of rainwater that Mumbai receives every monsoon, can help solve water problems of city dwellers for months.
Mumbai gets nearly 3,800 million litres of water per day against the demand of around 4,200 million litres per day. "They should think of alternate methods of harvesting, conserving and recycling non-revenue water instead of increasing the capacity of dams. There is little sense in bringing water from pipes from nearly 100 kms for Mumbai when there is enough rainfall in city. They are harming the climate for worse," said Jyoti Palekar, consultant on water management and recycling. Stressing on the importance of rainwater harvesting, Palekar added, "The authorities should ensure that rainwater harvesting is encouraged, and the people should be made aware about it. They should also think of treating sewage water so that it can be reused." Besides, the city loses nearly 30% of water supply to leakages and theft, say experts.
While experts emphasis on water harvesting is yet to become a reality on a mass scale, DNA looks at some of the societies who have successfully adopted the same. Even though the BMC is yet to make the practise of rainwater harvesting mandatory for housing societies, they have been leading by example.
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 "Rainwater Harvesting")
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