Working Group Meetings formed by a panel of experts in the respective field, formed a significant aspect of
WHSC Conference
The group on Policy Issues identified the main issues in Water Harvesting as:
- Regulatory requirements for rainwater harvesting
- Policy initiatives for rainwater harvesting in different states - Rural vs. Urban scenario
- Development of surface water bodies vis-à-vis groundwater recharge
- Water pollution – standards for disposal, reuse, recycle, recharge, harvesting and storage
- Water consumption for various uses – quality and quantity aspects
- Water conflicts
The recommendations put forth, are:
- Decentralized process of water management to be taken up with respect to drinking water
- Discourse on using Stormed Water from paved and unpaved areas for recharging
- Need an understanding of Aquifer dynamics / Characteristics for Urban and Rural areas separately
- Not entire area can be taken up for recharge – Site based recharge needed
- Uttar Pradesh has guidelines on recharge – condition specific Institutional mechanism for implementation of Policy / Guidelines
- Regulatory Mechanisms - Regulatory bodies to work properly
- Regional Plans for planning and Micro Plans for implementation
- Conjunctive use of Surface and Ground Water use
- State of Maharashtra has initiated Community Based aquifer based Water Management – Technical Know how
- Capacity building of the communities knowledge related to overall Water Management
- Decentralized the City
- Aquifer dynamics
- Water Quality Monitoring
- Citizens Education on water issues
- No of labs for Water Testing – Increase no of labs at district and taluk, block level
- RGNDWQSM to be made functional at District, taluk, block and panchayat level
- Development & Conservation & Rejuvenation of natural water bodies- ponds, tals, wetlands
- Institutional assistance to scientific approval of recharge structures/systems/schemes
- Development of IS codes
- Defining ground water recharge protection areas on the lines of reserved forests