National and local governments are creating new regulations and funding sources to increase water harvesting.


Many Indian cities lack sufficient water supplies. Urban growth is making it difficult and expensive to build the dams, pipelines and canals used in the modern era to supply cities with water. In comparison, rainwater harvesting systems are a low-cost, low-impact way for cities to increase supplies.

Rooftop rainwater harvesting systems are now mandatory for new buildings in 18 of India’s 28 states and four of its seven federally-administered union territories, according to India’s Press Information Bureau.

Because of falling groundwater tables and the cost of developing surface supplies, new government mandates and funding emphasize rainwater harvesting.

About 50 percent of the funds for India’s rural employment act are being used for water harvesting systems, said the Minister for Rural Development to the Press Trust of India.

A rule requiring all new buildings in Bangalore to incorporate water harvesting systems will be extended to all cities in Karnataka state next year, according to DNA India. The state is also considering a water bill rebate for citizens who install such systems in their houses.

Read More on: Circle Of Blue