The Hindu : More curbs on groundwater use

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 06, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

More curbs on groundwater use

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI DEC. 5. In a move that could have far-reaching implications, the State Government has issued two orders: one on rainwater harvesting and the other on use of groundwater in and around Chennai.

The installation of RWH structures in all existing multi-storeyed and public buildings in the city is now made mandatory and the structures should be installed within a year, according to an order of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply department.

Every such building should have separate pipelines, one for collecting wastewater from bath and washbasins and the other for toilets. "The wastewater from toilets alone shall be connected to the street sewer," says the MAWS department order of October 11. This is applicable to the Madurai Corporation too and other urban centres covered by the District Municipalities Act.

Though the provisions are mentioned as draft amendments in the order, they have now come into effect, according to sources.

According to the order, wastewater from bath and washbasins will be collected and treated adequately by organic or mechanical recycling. Later, it can be pumped to exclusive overhead tanks for use of toilet flushing through cisterns.

By another order, the administration has barred extraction of groundwater for gardening. Also, the use of groundwater for swimming pools has been restricted to promotion of sports. Industrial units have been prohibited from drawing groundwater for non-potable use. The Government has also enlarged the scope for granting or refusing groundwater licence. (Since 1997, Metrowater has neither issued new permits nor renewed licenses). Henceforth, any objection from local residents to commercial extraction of groundwater, factors contributing to or causing pollution, and measures taken for groundwater conservation and RWH, will also have to be taken into account, at the time of issuing or cancelling a licence.

These changes have been made in the existing law on groundwater regulation, which covers not only Chennai but also around 300 villages in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Those who violate the legal provisions will now have to pay a fine of Rs.2,000 (against Rs.500 levied previously) for the first offence and Rs. 5,000 for the second offence (against Rs.1,000). If they still defy the rules, the fine of Rs. 500 (Rs.100) will be levied for each day.

The Government has empowered its officials to seize vehicles or articles, including pump sets used for unauthorised extraction of groundwater or any other offence. Another significant feature is that water bodies, whether public or private, will be used only for the purpose of storing water.

Early this year, the State Assembly adopted a bill, incorporating these amendments to the Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Act of 1987. But, since the changes involved the Code of Criminal Procedure too, the bill was sent to the President for assent.

The approval was given in late October. Subsequently, the Government issued the order.

Though the new initiatives have been made in good intention, a section of water experts wonders whether some of the clauses are enforceable at all.

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