Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to make it mandatory for house owners to construct recharge wells to harvest rainwater in Islamabad, according to news published on March 17. The decision is being taken to curb the depletion of groundwater reserves.
Reportedly, the water table in the capital continues to go down at least four feet each year. According to Water Management Deputy Director General Sardar Khan Zimri, a proposal has been tabled before the CDA’s building control section to enforce the development of recharge wells at the house level for longer and better results as this will help recharge groundwater aquifers. Mr Zimri said that his proposal in this regard is submitted to the committee formed to amend existing by-laws, which would make it compulsory for all house owners to harvest rainwater by building recharge wells. The existing by-laws also dictate that houses should have rainwater storage tanks, however, this law is not enforced.
The water management department is seeking to enforce the by-law for the construction of recharge wells as the ‘groundwater is depleting fast at an annual rate of four feet. As per the CDA official, some 70 underground wells have been helping recharge the water table of the capital city in their respective areas.
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