Rainwater Harvesting & Water Resource Management in Tamil Nadu

While the Southwest Monsoon this year in Tamil Nadu has recorded 20% less than normal, only 74.412 TMC of water is currently available out of the total capacity of 224.343 TMC for 90 dams.

According to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry's report, the number of water bodies in Tamil Nadu has increased to 1,10,228 (3.1% growth), making it essential to intensify rainwater harvesting to raise groundwater levels.

📚 School Textbook Link: 10th Standard · Geography / Science · 10th Geography: Unit 6 (Tamil Nadu - Physical Divisions) / 10th Science: Unit 22 (Environmental Management) · Rainwater Harvesting and Tamil Nadu Reservoirs

🎯 TNPSC Exam Important Notes:

• Tamil Nadu Rainwater Harvesting Scheme: Launched in 2001 and made legally mandatory in all buildings in 2003.
• Union Jal Shakti Ministry Water Bodies Census: Maharashtra ranks first in increasing water bodies; Tamil Nadu has 1,10,228 water bodies.
• Chennai Drinking Water Sources: Chembarambakkam, Poondi, Puzhal, Veeranam, Sholavaram, and Thervai Kandigai are the 6 reservoirs (total capacity 13.21 TMC).
• Total capacity of Tamil Nadu's 90 major dams: 224.343 TMC (Central Water Commission data).
• Global Rainwater Harvesting Models: 'Rainwater Tax' and tax incentives in Germany; rainwater harvesting on 2/3 of Singapore's land area.

📌 KEY FOR TNPSC:

• Kannankottai - Thervai Kandigai Reservoir in Tiruvallur district was developed as Chennai's 6th drinking water source.
• Central Water Commission (CWC), established in 1945, is the apex technical organization in the field of water resources.