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Rainwater harvesting rules · sources up to 2024

Rainwater harvesting rules in Delhi

In Delhi, every new building on a plot of 100 sq m or more must have a rainwater harvesting system, and building plans are not sanctioned without one. Delhi Jal Board withholds new water connections until RWH is certified. Properties of 500 sq m or more without RWH pay a penalty of 1.5 times the water bill, and those with a working system get a 10% rebate on the water bill.

Note: The Rs 5 lakh environmental compensation was a DPCC recommendation (Outlook / India Water Portal), not a notified rule. The financial-assistance cap differs between CSE pages (Rs 1 lakh vs Rs 2 lakh), so it was not used as a definite figure.

Mandatoryfor new buildings
plots of 100 sq m and abovewhere the rule starts
Building Bye-laws, 1983 as amended by MoUD (2001); Unified Building Bye-Laws for Delhi, 2016; Master Plan for Delhi 2021the rule

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What the rule says

Applies toresidential, group housing, commercial, institutional, government
If you don't1.5 times the water bill for properties of 500 sq m or more without RWH. Water connection is withheld for new buildings until RWH is certified. DPCC has proposed environmental compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh for properties without a working system.
Rebates and subsidies10% rebate on the water bill; one-time financial assistance from DJB for RWAs and group housing (older CSE data: up to 50% of cost, capped at Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh in different versions)

Sources

Rules change and cities add their own. Check with your municipal body or development authority before you build.

Rainwater harvesting cost in Delhi

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Frequently asked questions

Is rainwater harvesting mandatory in Delhi?

In Delhi, every new building on a plot of 100 sq m or more must have a rainwater harvesting system, and building plans are not sanctioned without one. Delhi Jal Board withholds new water connections until RWH is certified. Properties of 500 sq m or more without RWH pay a penalty of 1.5 times the water bill, and those with a working system get a 10% rebate on the water bill.

Which buildings need rainwater harvesting in Delhi?

plots of 100 sq m and above: residential, group housing, commercial, institutional, government.

What is the penalty for not having rainwater harvesting in Delhi?

1.5 times the water bill for properties of 500 sq m or more without RWH. Water connection is withheld for new buildings until RWH is certified. DPCC has proposed environmental compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh for properties without a working system.

Is there a subsidy or rebate for rainwater harvesting in Delhi?

10% rebate on the water bill; one-time financial assistance from DJB for RWAs and group housing (older CSE data: up to 50% of cost, capped at Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh in different versions)

Rules in other states