The exemption limits appear to be too high... FN http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Town-planners-stress-on-rainwater-reuse/articleshow/9629664.cms
Town planners stress on rainwater reuse TNN | Aug 17, 2011, 04.05AM IST PANAJI: Private buildings that have plot areas more than 4,000sqm and with units more than 40 flats will have to make provisions for rainwater harvesting (RWH) and waste management in their plans, according to the newest notifications on additional regulations to the Goa (regulation of land development and building construction) Act 2008. Harvesting rainwater will be mandatory for public and institutional buildings or complexes, and for all commercial or industrial development in plots that meet the above dimensions, and also for those with a floor area more than 2000 sqm. Although, town planners are still not clear about the penal procedures, if anybody fails to meet these requirements. "Builders and architects would have to show plans for RWH and vermin composting, when they submit building plans for approval," said S T Puttaraju, chief town planner, town and country planning department. The Act was notified on September 9, 2010, but, these recent amendments will make it mandatory for private buildings to make provisions for rainwater harvesting atop roofs/terraces or on a land-based catchment area in their plans submitted for approval. These provisions must be based on the water resources department policy 2008. In the earlier notification, private buildings with more than 20 flats came under the purview of this act. This has been revised in the recent amendment. "All the storage structures created for rainwater harvesting have to follow the provisions of the design and specifications as laid down in Goa Public Health Act, 1985 for prevention of vector borne diseases," states the regulation. However, RWH is optional for those builders who incorporate sewerage treatment plants (STP) or waste water recycling processes in their plot. "They are exempted from the mandatory provision," said James Mathew, senior town planner. The group housing schemes who opt for STPs should show provision for structures to cover the chambers used for sorting waste with a height of less than 2.5 metres. "Designated spots for collection and treatment of non bio-degradable waste should be shown in the site plan," states the notification. The dimensions for water harvesting structures like tanks and reservoirs, permeable trenches and recharge wells have been defined in these regulations. Waste water available from STPs will be recycled for secondary uses such as car washing, gardening, landscaping and flushing toilets. "Supplying treated water through taps for domestic purposes proves costly to the exchequer," said an official said, which makes it unpopular with the builders. The water resources department provides subsidies to private building owners or builders under the provisions of the RWH policy department. These plans were delayed due to some practical problems, said sources. -- FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 f...@goa-india.org Saligao Goa IN http://fn.goa-india.org Skype: fredericknoronha