Section 101 in The Kerala Panchayat Buildings Rules, 2011
101. Groundwater recharging arrangements.
(1)Unless otherwise stipulated specifically in a Town Planning Scheme, workable groundwater recharging arrangement shall be provided as an integral part of all new building constructions through collection of rooftop rainwater:Provided that, the groundwater recharging arrangements are not mandatory for thatched buildings and for single family residential buildings if the total floor area is upto 150 sq.metres and if the total plot area is upto 320 sq.metres;(2)The components of workable groundwater recharging arrangements as stipulated in sub rule (1) above, shall include:(i)Roof gutters(ii)Down pipe(iii)Filter unit(iv)Recharge well or Recharge pond or Percolation pit:Provided that, open well or pond within the plot can be used as recharge components as mentioned in item (iv) above:Provided further that, filter unit as mentioned in item (iii) shall be mandatory only in situations where rainwater is recharged directly to the groundwater through open wells, ponds and the like.(3)In exceptional cases such as water logging or impermeable subsoil conditions to considerable depths, the groundwater recharging arrangements for building constructions need not be made mandatory.(4)The owner(s) /occupier(s) shall maintain the rooftops and the groundwater recharging arrangements in healthy working condition.
