Dr. Arvind Kumar*
The government initially recognized the inefficiencies of working in silos and made commendable strides toward convergence, fostering interdepartmental coordination for holistic outcomes. However, there appears to be a regression, with siloed approaches re-emerging—driven by reluctance to share credit or ownership. This undermines integrated governance and dilutes the impact of collective efforts, particularly in complex domains like water, climate, and sustainability, where collaboration is crucial. A renewed commitment to cooperative federalism and cross-sectoral synergy is essential to restore momentum and ensure that public welfare remains the primary objective over institutional ego.
In a world grappling with climate uncertainty and rapid urbanization, managing water wisely is no longer optional, it’s essential. Pause and think for a moment: if the rains don’t reach our reservoirs this year, where will your next glass of water come from? That question is no longer hypothetical; it’s a pressing reality for millions across India. With erratic monsoons, plunging groundwater tables, and growing demand, we need urgent solutions. And at the heart of the answer is something simple yet powerful: rainwater harvesting. Capturing rain where it falls is no longer a good idea, it’s a necessity.
Did you know India receives an average of 1,180 mm of rainfall every year? A remarkable natural resource, holding the potential to meet much of our domestic, agricultural, and industrial water needs if effectively captured and stored. For example, studies highlight that if we managed to harvest just a quarter of this rainfall through modern rooftop systems, tanks, and recharge pits, cities could meet up to 60% of their non-potable water needs while rural regions could secure their groundwater for farming and daily life. But here’s the real tragedy most of the water is wasted. Over 75% of rainwater runs off or evaporates because we lack proper storage and recharge systems. Traditional water bodies have disappeared under urban sprawl, and infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. So even after record monsoons, both cities and villages stare at water scarcity.
Water is life. It shapes the food on our plates, sustains our health, powers industries, and keeps ecosystems alive. Yet, this precious gift of nature is one of the most exploited and overlooked resources. Even in 2025, more than 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water. This isn’t just about drinking, it’s about growing crops, running industries, and keeping rivers and wetlands thriving. Agriculture alone uses over 70% of freshwater, while cities and factories depend on it for sanitation and production.
The good news? Change is happening. Over the past decade, rainwater harvesting has moved from being a buzzword to a national priority. Flagship initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Catch the Rain, and the AMRUT mission have driven thousands of rooftop systems, recharge wells, and rejuvenated tanks. While the Indian government has implemented various initiatives and schemes for water conservation and rainwater harvesting, it is debatable whether these efforts are sufficient to address the country’s water crisis. There are ongoing efforts, particularly through the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and other programs, but challenges remain in implementation, awareness, and long-term sustainability.
From Necessity to Opportunity
Despite these efforts, progress remains uneven. High setup costs and limited space in crowded cities discourage households and businesses from adopting harvesting systems. Where systems do exist, weak enforcement and poor monitoring mean many remain underused or neglected. Public awareness is still low, and routine maintenance often falls by the wayside, leading to contamination. Rapid urbanization has paved over natural recharge zones, causing precious rainwater to simply flow away. These financial, infrastructural, and behavioural hurdles explain why the full potential of rainwater harvesting is yet to be realized.
Here’s the shift we need to embrace: rainwater harvesting is not just an environmental responsibility, it’s a strategic business opportunity. Think of how solar energy exploded once it became a viable investment. Rainwater harvesting is on the cusp of a similar transformation. For businesses in water-stressed regions, it’s already delivering results, cutting procurement costs by up to 50% and delivering payback in as little as two to three years. India’s rainwater harvesting market, valued at USD 263 million in 2024, is projected to touch USD 378 million by 2030, growing at over 6% annually. National programs and corporate sustainability goals are fuelling this momentum, creating jobs and fostering innovation. What began as compliance, now must become a smart business strategy.
There are many ways to encourage rainwater harvesting and improve its implementation, within which governments can play a strong role. The use of government subsidies as incentives can encourage the installation of RWH systems and increase the number of users, particularly among poorer households. The regulatory frameworks are essential for the effective design of these incentives. Although laws and other governmental policies are the key driver for the implementation of RWH, overall, robust policies to systematically promote the installation of RHW are often lacking or scattered. RWH is barely covered in legislation at the federal level, but more common at the local level.
In the absence of a national policy on rainwater harvesting (RWH), state laws and municipal regulations have attempted to fill the gap based on local needs. However, the resulting patchwork of rules creates implementation challenges, lacks uniformity, and often focuses only on system installation without incentives or provisions for water quality treatment. Additionally, weak coordination among stakeholders and limited public awareness further hinder effective adoption.
The government initially recognized the inefficiencies of working in silos and made commendable strides toward convergence, fostering interdepartmental coordination for holistic outcomes. However, there appears to be a regression, with siloed approaches re-emerging—driven by reluctance to share credit or ownership. This undermines integrated governance and dilutes the impact of collective efforts, particularly in complex domains like water, climate, and sustainability, where collaboration is crucial. A renewed commitment to cooperative federalism and cross-sectoral synergy is essential to restore momentum and ensure that public welfare remains the primary objective over institutional ego.
The Way Forward
To unlock this potential, India needs a holistic strategy, one that combines awareness, policy, and business integration. Water literacy should become part of everyday life through schools, media, and community engagement. Policies must go beyond mandates; they should incentivize retrofitting, offer tax benefits, and ensure accountability through strict audits. Businesses must embed water resilience into operations, not as CSR, but as a core priority. Agriculture must adopt community check dams and smart storage systems to cushion against erratic monsoons.
But this is about more than harvesting rain. It’s about connecting the dots. Wetland restoration, water conservation, and ecosystem-based adaptation all work hand in hand to build resilience, protect biodiversity, and support livelihoods. Every tank, every recharge pit, every revived lake strengthens the chain that links us to the Sustainable Development Goals clean water, climate action, sustainable cities, and life on land. Ultimately, rainwater harvesting must become a cultural norm, not a choice, a movement as powerful and aspirational as the solar mission.
Civil society and multi-stakeholder platforms can raise awareness, influence behavior change, and support decentralized solutions that make rainwater harvesting accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant. By integrating community participation, policy advocacy, and local innovations, they can transform rainwater harvesting into a household norm rooted in sustainability and resilience. Sustainability ensures rainwater harvesting is resilient, community-driven, and ecologically sound for long-term water security. Transversality fosters coordination across sectors by breaking governance silos. Together, they elevate RWH from isolated compliance to an integrated pillar of sustainable development.
Securing water isn’t just about survival; it’s about shaping a future where development and sustainability go hand in hand. If we make every drop count, we’re not just saving water, we’re securing life itself.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
