Odisha going in for rooftop rainwater harvesting to address increasing stress on groundwater

State will spend Rs. 270 crore towards structures in 29,500 private buildings, 1925 govt buildings

The Odisha government has proposed to implement rooftop rainwater harvesting system (RRHS) keeping in mind of increasing stress on groundwater.

The State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Pantaik gave its nod to implementation of a scheme titled ‘Community Harnessing and Harvesting rainwater Artificially from Terrace to Aquifer (CHHATA)’ for conservation of rainwater.

The scheme will be implemented in 29,500 private buildings and 1,925 government buildings covering water stressed 52 blocks and 27 urban local bodies of the State for a period of five financial years from 2022-23 to 2026-27. The new project entails an expenditure of ₹270 crore.

“There is a subsidy provision of ₹55,000 or 50% of the cost of the RRHS, whichever is less in this scheme to encourage the public for adopting the scheme in their buildings. Directorate of Ground Water Development under Department of Water Resources will be executing the scheme,” said the government.

According to assessment carried out by Directorate of Groundwater Development, Odisha and Central Groundwater Board, South Eastern Region in 2020, the total annual groundwater recharge of the entire State is 17.08 billion cubic metre (BCM) with annual natural discharge of 1.37 BCM. The annual extractable groundwater resources of the State is 15.71 BCM.

“The annual ground water recharge of the State in 2020 estimates shows an increase of 1.51 BCM as compared to that of 2017 estimates. The ground water extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes has increased by 0.29 BCM in 2020 estimates as compared to 2017 estimates,” the assessment says.

The total annual groundwater extraction in 2020 has been estimated as 6.86 BCM. Agriculture sector is the predominant consumer of groundwater resources. About 80% of total extraction (5.5 BCM) is for irrigation use. Only 1.36 BCM is for domestic and industrial use, which is about 20% of the total extraction.