Every industry has its obligations towards the society and environment. The relentless raw water usage for the processing is posing a threat to the underground water level.

REJECT WATER HARVESTING
The Reverse Osmosis process has been discussed. Since it is a process based on molecular rejection, wastage of water is an inherent feature. The water thus rejected needs attention.Lately, Apart from bottled water industries, majority of the industry is switching over to RO technology, in place of conventional DM [ion exchange] process.

Though the reject water stream has more TDS than the raw water, the water which passes through RO membranes is invariably pre treated for turbidity hardness therefore it is safe to harvest it. As currently there is no limit of TDS set by pollution control board, for putting it in land or harvesting, this process COULD be carried out. BUT one should remember that SODIUM ABSORPTION RATIO has to be kept under control while such discharge and harvseting. To put in plainly, there should be an ideal level of Mg. & Ca. Vis-à-vis sodium so as to retain the fertlity of the land. It is where social and environmental factor comes into play as at this juncture, law is silent regarding the reject discharge and harvesting.

The day is not far when authorities would lay down restrictions on quality of water being drained.

Rain Water Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting refers to the collection and storage of rainwater. It also refers to other measures aimed at harvesting surface and ground water and prevention of its loss through evaporation and seepage. It includes all other hydrological studies and engineering interventions, aimed at conservation and efficient utilization of the water. It refers to collection of rainwater from roofs of the buildings to directly store it or use it to recharge the ground water aquifer. It makes optimum use of rainwater, which is the ultimate source that feeds all the secondary sources of water like rivers, lakes and ground water.

Broadly, rainwater is harvested for two purposes. The first purpose is direct storage The second purpose is recharging of ground water.

Notification

Special provision have been made by the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India, in the Building Bye Laws 1983, in respect of rainwater harvesting. Gazette of India notification dated 28th July’ 2001 in this regard is produced as below:

‘Water harvesting through storing of water runoff including rainwater in all new buildings on plots of about 100 sq mts and the above will be mandatory. The plans submitted to the local bodies shall indicate the system of storm water drainage along with points of collection of rainwater in surface reservoirs or in recharge wells.

All buildings having a discharge of 10,000 litres and above per day shall incorporate waste water recycling system which shall be used for horticultural purposes.’

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