The RWA has planned to use 2.5 MLD of water to recharge groundwater.
Concerned over depleting groundwater reserve, residents of Sare Homes, a residential society in Sector 92, Gurugram, have decided to create artificial ponds to improve the groundwater table.
The Resident Welfare Association the society has created two pits, while one of 15 square feet is in place in the green belt adjoining the society, another of 30 square feet is under construction. According to the residents, the society houses around 700 families and has a sewer treatment plant (STP) with a capacity of 8 MLD.
RWA President Praveen Malik said, "The city has been grappling with water crisis due to overutilisation of groundwater, sparse rainfall, etc. Now, it is our responsibility to prevent the situation from getting worst."
He further informed that around 5.5 MLD of water is being used by the RWA for horticulture purpose and the rest of the treated water was given to GMDA. Now, the RWA has planned to use 2.5 MLD of water to recharge groundwater.
"We have dug up a pit and laid a layer of pebble bed over it so that the water seeps into the ground through filter. It will help recharge the groundwater. The pits though are not very deep, they are wide. Wire fencing around the pond has been installed keeping in mind safety of the residents. Saplings and grass bed have also been planted along the artificial ponds to avoid soil erosion."
According to the residents, the society is taking several measures to conserve water, including rainwater harvesting, reusing RO wastewater and many others.
Manoj Singhal, executive member of Sare Homes RWA, said, "Recharging the depleting groundwater is the need of the hour. These artificial ponds will provide relief to the society in the long run as they will absorb water gradually and thereby improve the water table. We will constantly monitor the pits and use the pond water for irrigation purposes so that water does not get stagnated and generate bacteria or mosquito breeding."
Welcoming the steps, the residents of the society said such initiative would be boon in water conservation. Aditya Jhakhar, a resident of Phase 3 of Sare Homes, termed it “a great initiative to conserve water”. He said, “It will inspire others to follow suit. Though many individuals in the society are already reusing RO water, a community-level initiative will make a big difference for the society.”
