Rainwater harvesting: NGT directs DJB to inspect buildings

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Jal Board to inspect all residential and commercial buildings on plots of 500 sq metres and above in the national capital and apprise it on whether rainwater harvesting systems have been installed there or not.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim also asked the AAP government and the Delhi Development Authority to ensure that the provisions in the notification on the issue are strictly implemented and file a report within 30 days. 

The order was passed on Friday. "The counsel for the DJB has rightly pointed out that there is no direction as yet in making installation of rainwater harvesting (system) compulsory in a building or any other business activity run by an individual or other bodies which own areas more than 500 square metres, in terms of the notification of the government. 

"Be that as it may, we have in this regard passed several orders in connected cases and also reiterate that the DJB shall inspect all such areas which are covered under the notification, but have not installed rainwater harvesting system or provisions in their institutions for further order in this regard," the bench said. 

Rule 50 of the Delhi Water and Sewer (Tariff and Metering) Regulations, 2012 makes it mandatory for all buildings on plots of 500 square metres or more to set up rainwater harvesting systems.