Citing erratic rainfall, western suburbs take to rainwater harvesting

Doing their bit to ensure that the erratic rainfall in the city does not have an extreme effect on residents of societies in the western suburbs, Advanced Locality Management (ALM) groups and residents associations of Bandra, Khar and Juhu are promoting the idea of rainwater harvesting.

Water woe: One of the co-operative societies in Khar is promoting the idea of rainwater harvesting. The ALMs in Bandra, Khar and Juhu haveu00a0been organising meetings every week with each society in their locality to highlight the advantages of rainwater harvesting. Pic/Sameer Markande

These ALMs and associations comprising almost 110 buildings have been organising meetings every week with each society in their locality to highlight the advantages of rainwater harvesting.

With the monsoon being at an all time low, these associations feel that this method would benefit society in the long run.

After MiD DAY reported on the simplicity of putting rainwater harvesting into practice, residents of some independent old buildings are considering setting up plants. The plants are being seen as a method to overcome the water crisis these areas in the western suburbs face throughout the year.

The resident associations claim that these rainwater harvesting plants cost between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 and with the poor rainfall failing to raise water levels in the six lakes providing water to the city, fixing up the plants is the best option.

"In times of severe water crisis and water cuts, you can at least rely on the stored water. Rainwater harvesting will ensure we have our own reservoir, so every building should follow suit," said Juhu resident, Maria Rodrigues.

Bharati Kakkad of the Khar Residents Association said that efforts have begun to pay off.

"We have always promoted rainwater harvesting and have taken this up seriously, wherein we are educating societies in our association to implement the system. Fortunately, many buildings have started doing this as well," Kakkad said.

Bandra resident Damodar Parankusham said, "It is better to spend a one-time amount and reap the benefits for a long time. There are agencies in the market that will guide interested parties on the basics for setting up rainwater harvesting plants at their housings."u00a0