State Act

Chennai Metropolitan Area Ground Water(Regulation) Act, 1987

14. Implementation of scheme for artificial re-charge.— 1[(1)] Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act and with a view to ensure optimum utilization of groundwater and formation of hydraulic barrier against sea water intrusion, the Government shall issue instructions to the Board for implementing within such period as may be prescribed the scheme for artificial re-charge of the Arni-Korteliyar basin with the excess flood water flowing into the sea by inter-linking Arni-Korteliyar at two or more feasible points and also by constructing sufficient number of check dams at the appropriate places in the Korteliyar river course. 1[(2)] Not withstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force to augment the groundwater storage,-- (a) in every building owned or maintained by the Government or a company or other institution owned or controlled by the Government, there shall be provision for rain water harvesting which shall be made in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed; (b) on or after the commencement of the Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2002, every person who constructs a building, whether for residential or non-residential purpose, shall provide rainwater harvesting structures in such manner as may be prescribed; (c) the owner or occupier of any building in existence on the date of commencement of the Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2002 shall provide rain water harvesting structures in such buildings in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed; (d) water bodies, whether public or private, shall be used only for the purpose of storing water and not for any other purposes as such water bodies are contributing to groundwater recharge. Explanation.— For the purpose of this clause, “water bodies” mean lakes, ponds, tanks and the like.]