Delhi to restore rainwater harvesting systems in 75 schools
The Delhi Government will revive and operationalise rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across the capital before the arrival of the monsoon. The project is expected to help conserve nearly 50 crore litres of water every year, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening water conservation, improving groundwater recharge, and spreading awareness about responsible water use among students and local communities.
Officials said a detailed audit of rainwater harvesting infrastructure in all 75 schools has already been completed, and corrective work will begin shortly.
According to the Chief Minister, the Government plans to restore non-functional systems and modernise existing structures so that schools can effectively capture and store rainwater during the monsoon season.
A presentation on the project was recently made before the Chief Minister, highlighting the present condition of the systems, the shortcomings identified during inspections, and the roadmap for restoring them.
The Chief Minister said Delhi receives an average annual rainfall of nearly 775 mm, and proper rainwater harvesting can significantly reduce pressure on the city’s water resources.
She said a rooftop area of around 2,500 square feet can conserve nearly two lakh litres of rainwater annually, which is sufficient to meet the yearly water requirement of a family of five. The harvested water can be used for multiple purposes, including gardening, cleaning, flushing, and even drinking after treatment, officials said.
The Delhi Government will adopt the “Ehsaas” model for school rainwater harvesting. Approved by the Delhi Jal Board in 2021, this cost-effective, low-maintenance approach suits areas with limited space.
Rainwater from roofs will be filtered and directed to storage and borewells to recharge groundwater.
Officials said inspection teams found that most schools already had rainwater harvesting structures, but many of them had remained unused for years because of poor maintenance and lack of awareness. Several pits were found clogged with plastic waste, silt, and debris. In some schools, authorities were not even aware that rainwater harvesting structures existed on the campus.
The audit also revealed that rainwater at many schools was flowing directly into drains instead of being stored or used for groundwater recharge. Some structures were found to have design flaws that affected their functioning.
To address these problems, the Government has prepared a detailed action plan. Measures include cleaning harvesting pits, upgrading filters, improving drainage, and connecting rainwater pipes to appropriate storage. Larger access points and safer maintenance facilities will be added where needed.
The Chief Minister said the total rooftop catchment area in the 75 schools has the potential to conserve nearly 130 million litres of rainwater annually. Overall, the combined catchment capacity of all participating schools is estimated to reach around 50 crore litres every year.
A separate budget allocation will also be made for the regular upkeep and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems in schools, officials said. Apart from infrastructure upgrades, the Government will also organise awareness workshops for students, teachers, and parents. These sessions will focus on water conservation, groundwater recharge, and responsible water use practices.
The Chief Minister said the government wants to transform water conservation into a public movement, and schools will play an important role in creating awareness among future generations. She added that the project could become a model for groundwater conservation and environmental protection in Delhi in the coming years.
