Mumbai: BMC to set up 13 rainwater harvesting pits in K-West ward

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to install 13 underground water percolation tanks in multiple areas in K-West (KW) ward, which covers Andheri West, Juhu, Versova and Oshiwara.

As reported late last month by Free Press Journal, these water-holding pits have been designed to recharge groundwater level by collecting rainwater. The setup comprises a 125-cubic-feet chamber partially filled with pebbles and a channel that helps collected water percolate into the ground.

Assistant municipal commissioner and in-charge of KW ward, Vishwas Mote, said setting up these percolation tanks will help restore the generally receding underground water level. He told FPJ, “This rainwater harvesting methodology is simple and cost effective and these pits could be set up anywhere.”

He said recharging groundwater level is the need of the hour. “With the monsoon here, now is the time for it. It will also help prevent water-logging in affected areas,” Mote added. He said the civic body is looking at installing one tank in each of the 13 constituencies in KW ward.

The idea, as per an earlier FPJ report, is the brainchild of city conservationist Subhajit Mukherjee, who is also the ambassador of the state government’s ‘Majhi Vasundhara’ campaign. Earlier this week, Mukherjee held an online meeting with all the engineers and administrative officers of KW ward, where the methodology of these tanks was explained.

Mukherjee said work on setting up these tanks will start from Monday and one of these tanks will be set up at Kishore Kumar Park at Juhu. He also said that the idea is to set up these tanks in parks and areas that are at least one kilometre away from the sea.

“If the tanks are dug near the sea, then there are chances that groundwater will not stay for long, as it will get washed away into the sea,” Mukherjee said, adding that he (along with the BMC) is also planning to set up these tanks in gardens that have maximum footfall so that greater awareness can be generated among people.