RMC push to install rainwater harvesting infrastructure in all eligible households

Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has intensified its drive to ensure rainwater harvesting structures are built in eligible households across the city, highlighting gaps in compliance.

While Ranchi has over 2.5 lakh registered households, the mandate applies specifically to properties built on plots of seven decimals (around 3,200 sq ft) or more. Of these, only 61,230 have installed the required rainwater harvesting structures. Nearly 12,500 households are paying penalties amounting to 50% of their holding tax for non-compliance, officials said.

Rainwater harvesting was formally integrated into Jharkhand’s urban building framework in early 2010s, following guidelines issued by the ministry of housing and urban affairs aimed at addressing urban water stress.

In Ranchi, the enforcement push gathered pace around 2016, when declining groundwater levels and erratic rainfall raised concerns among planners. Since then, RMC has gradually tightened compliance norms, making it mandatory for all houses to install rainwater harvesting infrastructure.

Deputy municipal commissioner Gautam Prasad Sahu reiterated the eligibility criteria and the intent behind the rule. “All houses constructed on land measuring 3,200 sq ft or above must have rainwater harvesting systems installed. This provision has been put in place keeping long-term water sustainability in mind,” he said.

Appealing to residents, Sahu added, “Citizens should not see this as just a compliance burden. Rainwater harvesting is essential for securing our future water needs.”

However, experts cautioned that installation alone is not enough. Nitish Priyadarshi, a geologist from Ranchi University, pointed out that the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting in the city’s geological conditions remains inconsistent. “Groundwater harvesting, as per Ranchi’s geology, has not yet proven fully effective everywhere. Even in houses where systems exist, water scarcity persists due to poor maintenance,” he said.

He stressed that regular upkeep is critical. “Systems should be checked at least once or twice a year. Also, harvesting structures must be built at least 20 feet away from septic tanks and soak pits to avoid contamination. Equally important is maintaining discipline in water withdrawal during recharge periods,” he added.

Municipal commissioner Sushant Gaurav said the issue has been discussed at the policy level and requires stronger grassroots participation. “We have taken the issue up in board meetings and requested ward councillors to push for implementation in their respective areas. Public participation is key, and necessary actions should be initiated at the ward level,” he said.

He further said that enforcement measures could evolve to encourage compliance. “Removing penalties for those who adopt rainwater harvesting can act as a motivation for defaulters. The idea is to bring more households into the system rather than only penalising them,” he added.
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