June, 2004
Stable and steady rise in level of groundwater recorded in rainwater harvesting project sites, says CSE survey report

New Delhi, June 15, 2004: Rainwater harvesting can recharge the declining groundwater levels in cities. Data from 11 rainwater harvesting projects spread across Delhi shows an increase of 5 to 10 metres in the groundwater levels over two years.

At a meeting of the network of rainwater harvesters of Delhi, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) presented the results of its survey from May 2002 to May 2004 on the level of groundwater in rainwater harvesting sites; these sites have been designed by CSE.

This vindicates our point that groundwater is like a bank account. We have to learn to live on the interest (recharge) and not on the capital of this reserve. In other words, we have to remove only as much as we recharge.

Through their rainwater harvesting efforts they have been able to ensure that for at least three months in a year (July to August) the rate of recharge of groundwater is more than the rate of extraction. This process nurtures and replenishes the resource, and stabilises the annual rate of depletion," explains Narain.

For more information:
R K Srinivasan (rksri@cseindia.org)

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