Delhi Jal Board finds faecal coliform contamination in rainwater harvesting pits in Dwarka, ET Infra

Delhi Jal Board has detected faecal coliform exceeding acceptable limits in the rainwater harvesting pits across 115 residential societies in Dwarka. The presence of faecal coliform indicates contamination from untreated sewage or bacteria found in faeces and animal remains.

In a recent submission to National Green Tribunal, DJB reported that its fresh assessment of 176 residential societies in Dwarka revealed contaminated rainwater harvesting pits in 115 locations. Four societies were also found to have non-operational pits.

The board instructed both the revenue department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to take remedial measures and levy appropriate penalties.

NGT has been examining the matter since February 2023, following a petition by a Dwarka resident who raised concerns about rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems contributing to groundwater contamination in the area.

In May 2023, a joint inspection by an NGT-appointed expert committee, which included members from DPCC and DJB, found RWH pits at 235 societies in Dwarka, with high ammonical nitrogen and high total dissolved solids in 180 of them.

DPCC carried out its own inspection last May, finding faecal coliform in 103 societies, an indication that sewage was mixing with rainwater or directly entering these pits, eventually leading to groundwater contamination in Dwarka, the pollution committee said. As per drinking water standards prescribed in IS 10500:2021, faecal coliform should not be detectable at all in a 100ml sample.

In its latest report dated March 27, DJB said it collected samples from 176 societies between September and December 2024. Among them, 115 samples contained faecal coliform. ‘In four societies, the RWH pits were non-functional. In 25 societies, the pit was found dry, and in 32 societies, faecal coliform was not found in the water sample,’ DJB stated in its submission, adding punitive measures have been initiated, with letters sent to both the revenue department and DPCC on January 20, 2025.

‘DJB, as per findings of the survey, sent a letter to DPCC for imposing environmental compensation charges on the defaulters (societies) as per the Environment (Protection) Act 1986,’ said the letter. The revenue department has also been asked to submit an action-taken report.

DJB also stated it had made it mandatory for all new buildings in the city to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.

• Published On Mar 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM IST

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