Rainwater harvesting to be made compulsory in old houses also: Puducherry CM

Talking to news persons after inaugurating two rain water harvesting facility at the campus of the district collectorate here, Mr Narayanasamy said water scarcity is a big issue now a days and luckily Puducherry has groundwater.

But the groundwater table is depleting with the excess drawing of water. This should be arrested in view of the future, he said, adding that orders were there in all new constructions there should be rain water harvesting facility. In all government offices also it would be implemented, he added.

The CM said that steps were taken to de-silt six lakes and over 30 tanks here and bed dams were constructed across the rivers to prevent the river water from flowing into the sea.

He said the ground water level could be enhanced only if the rain water harvesting facility was present in all houses and hence, orders, with regard to rain water harvesting facility be provided in all old houses, would be issued soon.

In Puducherry, 75 per cent of the water is used for agriculture, 10 per cent for domestic use, 10 per cent for industrial use and 5 per cent for other activities, he said, adding that steps were taken to ensure that the farmers use less quantity of water for their cultivation.

The CM also said that since the coastal area is there in all the four regions of the Union Territory, ground water could be protected much if de-salination plants were set up.

Talks are on with France for this project, he said, adding that once agreed, desalination plants would be set up here.