STOP WATER OVERFLOWS AND ADOPT RAINWATER HARVESTING

JAL RAKSHAK’s STOP WATER OVERFLOWS AND ADOPT RAINWATER HARVESTING CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVE

1)      To create and build capacities of JAL RAKSHAKs in all 30 pockets (sectors) of Vasant Kunj

2)      Under the leadership of the JAL RAKSHAKs, to make each of these pockets

a.       Water Tank Overflow free and

b.       Rainwater Harvesting enabled.

JAL RAKSHAK PROFILE

For this campaign the JAL RAKSHAKS will be:

1) Current members of the JAL RAKSHAK community

2) RWA members from various pockets of Vasant Kunj

3) Members of Vasant Kunj ‘Inner Wheel Club’ – the women’s special arm of Rotary International.

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

The pilot Campaign will be in all sectors of Vasant Kunj viz total of 30 pockets

1) Sector A/A                            2) Sector A/B                             3) Sector A/C                 4) Sector B-1

5) Sector B-2                             6) Sector B-3                             7) Sector B-4                 8) Sector B-5&6

9) Sector B-7                             10) Sector B-8                           11) Sector B-9               12) Sector B-10

13) Sector B-11                          14) Sector c-1                            15) Sector –C-2              16) Sector C-3

17) Sector C-4                           18) Sector c-5                            19) Sector –C-6              20) Sector C-8

21) Sector c-9                            22) Sector –D-1                         23) Sector D-2               24) Sector D-3

25) Sector –D-4                         26) Sector D-5                           27) Sector D-6&7           28) Sector D-8

29) Sector B-9 (LIG)                   30) Sector B-9 A

EXPECTED OUTCOME

A replicable model of a Community Leader led Partnership model of Water Wastage prevention and Adoption of Rainwater Harvesting would have been created. This project can then be extendd all over Delhi.

1)      Significant reduction in tank water overflows in all pockets of Vasant Kunj

2)      Significant reduction in other forms of water wastage in Vasant Kunj

3)      Maximum recharge potential Rainwater harvesting plans will be ready for all pockets

4)      A momentum for Water Conservation and adoption of rainwater harvesting would have been created in Vasant Kunj.

5)      A team of JAL RAKSHAKS who will become Water Conservation Ambassadors for other localities in Delhi.

6)      A ready team of JAL RAKSHAKs to become a postive interface between residents, government and other partners for implementation of Water Conservation activities in their pockets.

7)      Sensitisation of children through  their active participation about Water Conservation.

BENEFICIARIES

The key beneficiaries of the project will be:

1)      Delhi Jal Board – Reduction in wastage of treated supply water and recharge to groundwater of Delhi

2)      Residents of Vasant Kunj – More equitable distribution of water supply due to less wastage and better yield from tubewells

3)      Environment – Water saving and saving of electricity due to reduced pump running ( for running tubewells and motors)

JAL RAKSHAK CAMPAIGN DETAILS

ACTION POINTS

1)      FORCE will identify Community leaders in each of the 30 pockets who are interested in the cause of Water Conservation in each locality

2)      Of these, we will appoint 2-4 as JAL RAKSHAKS for each area. Hence a total of 100-120 JAL RAKSHAKs will be appointed in Vasant Kunj

3)      The JAL RAKSHAKs could be called for a meeting at the DJB Conference Room where they could interact with the DJB CEO, CE (South), PRO and other concerned officials.

4)      In one of the Community Centres of Vasant Kunj, FORCE with support from Delhi Jal Board, Central Groundwater Board and trained plumbers, will conduct Capacity Building sessions for the JAL RAKSHAKS

a.       TRAINING ON STOPPING WATER OVERFLOWS:

i.      Water, Electricity and Environment wastage that happens because of overflows

ii.      Communication methods for talking to repeat offenders

iii.      Support that can be taken from DJB for warning / penalizing such offenders

b.       STREET PLAY ON WATER OVERFLOWS & WATER CONSERVATION

i.      Demonstration of two street plays that we have already staged on the topic of tank overflows and water conservation

ii.      Support to JAL RAKSHAKS to train 4-5 children in each pocket to perform the play at High Visibility locations in the pocket

iii.      Script for children and follow up plan to motivate elders to become ‘Water Wise’

c.       PLUMBER TRAINING ( 1-2 plumbers per locality ) for installing Water-Overflow prevention devices

d.       If possible, tie up with a manufacturer/supplier of auto cut-off overflow alarms or overflow valves, for discounted supply/installation of such systems.

e.       RAINWATER HARVESTING

i.      Need & Potential for groundwater recharge

ii.      Method of making rainwater harvesting plan for the locality

5)      Each JAL RAKSHAK to carry out the STOP TANK OVERFLOW AND ADOPT RAINWATER HARVESTING plan in his area

6)      Impact Analysis of the Pilot JAL RAKSHAK program through:

a.       Pre and post campaign comparison of number o households having regular water tank overflows.

b.       Reach of the project in terms of number of people sensitized to the cause of water conservation

c.       Number of rainwater harvesting plans made

d.       Number of rainwater harvesting projects initiated.

e.       Number of Jal Rakshaks appointed

7)      If possible, the Pilot project could conclude with a VIP function where the Honble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt Sheila Dikshit could be requested to felicitate the JALR AKSHAKs, Children from all pockets who performed the plays and the officials who helped. This opportunity can also be used to call RWAs from other locations and kick-start at similar drive all over Delhi.

DURATION

5 months – December 15 2009 to April 15, 2010.

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Thank you for giving us back our faith in ‘the system’

Thank you Dr Hussein for giving us back our faith in ‘the system’….

The students of St Mary’s School are a persistent bunch!! They called up a few days back to say that they wanted to come back to the Neela Hauz to “Check on its restoration status and fight with whoever necessary to make it live again”.

Neela HauzTheir comment got me worried. Should our children grow up with this belief that they need to ‘fight’ for what is their’s by right? Should they grow up with no faith in the ‘system’ – government, elders and all those who run the world today? Should they see the ‘system’ just as a destroyer of all that is beautiful and pristine…?

No – our children must grow up having faith in the ‘system’. And, having the capability to appreciate all that is good but rectify all that is bad.

I shared these thoughts with the Lt Governor’s OSD – Ranjan Mukherjee and the Dy Director Landscape – in charge of Bio-Diversity projects – Poonam Diwan. I requested them to give the children back their faith – atleast in the government’s promise for restoration of the Neela Hauz.Dr. Hussein Addressing Students

And so, Dr Hussein, you met us all today at the Neela Hauz. You told us about the DDA’s plans for Neela Hauz  Bio-Diversity Area. You explained the complex interplay between all living and non-living inhabitants of our eco-system and how one exists because the other lives. You told us about why the birds and the butterflies we saw all around have vanished. And perhaps more important – you told us about what will be done at the Neela Hauz to bring them all – and more – back. And as icing on the cake, you shared your philosophy of practical ecological conservation, patriotism and a world without boundaries with us.

Sir, your deepDiscussion as Neela Hauz love and understanding of nature shone through like a beacon of hope. If you, Mr Mukherjee and Ms Diwan are part of this ‘system’ it can’t really be so bad !

So, now the children have gone back a reassured, optimistic bunch. They have pledged to be watchful, but not cynical; analytical supporters of good effort and align with nature in creating self-sustaining flourishing eco-systems.

Thank you !

Dear Mr. Lt. Governor, Will You Keep Your Promise???

Yesterday, a group of IX standard students of St Mary’s School came to the Neela Hauz.. They had read about it in the newspaper and had taken this lake up as a Project for Environmental Studies.

So they hunted out my number from the web and said that they had loads of questions about the lake which they wanted answered. We decided to meet at the Neela Hauz.

That fateful meeting was yesterday and I just wanted to share with you the confusion that they left me with.

They refused to believe that the solid mass of earth and the heavy machinery on top – could have ever been a lake. I tried to build for them the vision that I have seen, not so long back – of a beautiful, hidden oasis of peace with fishes and birds and butterflies all around. I could see, that they thought, I was lying.

The Upcoming Bride

Can You Believe A Lake Existed Here?

They asked me that if it was really so lovely, why did you have to destroy it – did you have no alternative??  In my best adult tone, I told them about developmental prerogatives and about how a bend in a road was a terrible threat to our lives and how broadening the existing road was not possible. They looked incredulous – and asked me whether it wasn’t more dangerous to live without fresh air, water and peace?

They said they thought we adults do not really plan – just give in to pressures from powerful, selfish, short-sighted people. 

They asked me why – if I was so concerned – did I not try and stop this bridge from coming up before the construction started. I hid behind my ignorance – I said the government never asked me what I wanted. They thought I was fibbing – they’ve studied about Democracy you see! A Government of the people, by the people and for the people! 

Oh they bombarded me with questions – about why a non- intrusive technology could not have been used for construction, about why other parallel roads could not have taken the expected increase in traffic….

How Can I Explain To Them Why The Lake Had To Give Way To A Bridge?

How Can I Explain To Them Why The Lake Had To Give Way To A Bridge?

I thought they were unfair in making us all feel like silent bystanders to a murder. So I hushed them and told them proudly about our Citizens Movement. I told them how you were a good, ‘Green’ guy who promised to restore this lake to its original state after the bridge is made. I told them about the plan for a Bio-Diversity zone.

I thought I had found a release from the stranglehold of their innocence – but  they looked incredulously at the solid earth where once upon a time there was a lake, at the malba dumped all around and the heavy bridge on our once untouched hideaway……….. and killed all hope with their final questions,  

Did he really promise? Can he really return back the Neela Hauz? What’s the guarantee?? Me (Red Saree) & The School Group

Help Save The Neela Hauz Lake

Send your message with this open letter to the Honourable Lt. Governor of Delhi, Mr. Tejendra Khanna on his Listening post (lggc.delhi@nic.in) by CLICKING HERE.

National Urban Water Award 2009

Urban Water Award

Dwarka Underpass – An Avoidable Water Logging Fiasco

Dwarka Underpass has been in the news for the sheer visual shock of seeing 6m (20ft) high column of water on a road after a more than average rainfall in a single day.

 

Actually, the water was standing not just in the underpass but also on the road leading into the underpass from both sides. Approximately, 1.5 km stretch of road including the underpass had water logging. The water logging was so bad that, even today, 4 days after the downpour, and hectic efforts to pump out the water, the road is still blocked for traffic. 

 

As per our calculations, the total volume of water that was standing in this entire area was between 10-12.5 crore (100 -125 Million) liters. If we take Delhi’s average rainfall, then over the year, this area alone would hold approx 40-50 crore (400-500 Million) litres of water!

 

To put this figure in perspective,

 

10 crore litres = 7,50,000 people’s requirement for one day or more than 2000 people’s total water requirement for one whole year!

 

WHY THIS HAPPENS:

 

1) Faulty drainage planning – An underpass is an artificial depression dug out from the ground. Drainage in an underpass is always a problem because it’s almost always impossible to align the slope of the underpass drainage with that of the main drain outside the underpass (whose level will be higher than the underpass). The problem becomes worse when the underpass is located at a site which is topographically also a naturally depressed zone. In such an area the tendency of water from all the surrounding catchment area is to flow towards that depression with no escape route in sight.

 

It is important therefore to ensure that the drainage for surrounding catchments is planned in such a way that all water gets diverted away from the underpass BEFORE it enters the depressed zone.

 

2) Poorly designed / constructed rainwater harvesting systems. As per court orders all flyovers are supposed to do rainwater harvesting. It does not seem like the Dwarka Underpass has done it. Even if it has,

 

        a) The system is obviously insufficient because its recharge capacities have not been designed after taking into consideration the runoff generated by the entire CATCHMENT of the underpass area.

  

        b) Poor intake of the system because of faulty design / construction.

 

        c) The system is poorly maintained. Rainwater harvesting system needs regular cleaning to maximize its intake capacity. If this is not done, the system gets choked and becomes defunct. Its cleaning is especially necessary where the RWH system takes (water from road / open surfaces etc where the silt load is high.

 

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

 

1) Proper Drainage planning. The Problem can be corrected even now. However, planners will need to look beyond the underpass and plan for catching run-off from the catchment area for the underpass itself.

 

2) Rainwater Harvesting – All along the 1.5 km stretch, maybe perhaps more (analysis of exact site conditions needs to be made) an extensive rainwater harvesting system needs to be made. This will ensure that the runoff gets recharged to groundwater and there is no surplus flow left to “water-log” the underpass.

 

POLICY CHANGE NEEDED

 

The Dwarka Underpass is just a stark reminder of the urgent need to change policies to reflect urban water conditions:

 

1) WATER PLANNING SHOULD BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DESIGNING WITH INTEGRATED EFFORT FROM ALL AGENCIES: Drainage and Water Harvesting planning to be done by agencies in co-ordination. When the underpass would have been constructed, PWD would have been given jurisdiction only over the immediate stretch of land over which the underpass is to be constructed. Hence, their designing and implementation would have to be a closed loop with minimal co-operation / interface with authorities managing that catchment area roads and drainage. So even if PWD wanted to plan an extensive drainage system, it would not have been able to do so. By the same logic, they might have been aware of / might have been advised by experts to do RWH for the entire catchment but since their intervention area was limited, they might not have been able to implement those suggestions.

 

2) RAINWATER HARVEQTING SYSTEMS SHOULD BE MADE PART OF THE STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM. Currently, since RWH is seen as an ad-hoc activity, it is largely unplanned and adequate provisions for maintenance – BOTH OF STRUCTURES AND CATCHMENTS – are not made. RWH systems should be integrated with Storm Water Drainage systems. This will at least ensure that an annual schedule and provision for maintenance will be made by government. It should also be ensured that the catchment conduits for runoff and the RWH systems are maintained simultaneously. This will help ensure efficient working of the systems.

 

Unless we plan for these now, such fiascos will increasingly occur over time. And why not turn fiascos into opportunities – harvest water from all such areas!