DEVISING FRAMEWORK FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING IN LAHORE

Back to Page Authors: Muhammad Shafaat Nawaz, Maryam Javed, Rizwan Hameed, Syed Hamid Arshad

Keywords: rainwater, water harvesting, institutional framework, governance, sustainable development

Abstract: Population growth is triggering more demand for water particularly in urban areas, while on the other side, water shortages due to ever increasing use, wastage etc. are further aggravating the situation. Moreover global climate changes are also resulting in water shortages. Therefore there is dire need to ensure sustainable water supply. As time passes, inefficiencies in water usage, water wastages, changes in climatic conditions etc. are affecting availability of fresh water supplies. To cope with the issue of water shortages, a technique named rainwater harvesting (RWH) is utilized overall the world. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) introduced the provisions of RWH system including tank capacity details and specifications in the byelaws for the residential buildings in Lahore. This study is about determining the viewpoints of the residents regarding the rainwater harvesting system as well as implementation, usage & effectiveness of the system. Review of relevant literature, interviews from the concerned officers of LDA, and a survey of the selected residents of the houses, whose plans were approved by LDA during a specified period helped understand how to achieve this aim of rainwater harvesting. The findings from this study would help develop a practical system not only in Lahore but also in other major urban centers in the country.