Assessment of Operation and Maintenance Issues in the Rainwater Harvesting Systems of Residential Apartments Built in the Last Decade: A Case Study of Pune

Year : 2026 | Volume : 04 | Issue : 02 | Page : 95 111
By

Tanguturu Sai Mahidhar,

Aditi Lanke,

  1. Student, Department of Architecture, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) College of Architecture, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) College of Architecture, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Despite abundant rainfall, Indian metropolitan centres, including Pune, face severe water crises due to inadequate stormwater management. In response, governmental bodies and sustainable rating frameworks have mandated the integration of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems within the built environment. However, a significant policy-practice gap persists while RWH systems are frequently installed to meet regulatory compliance, they often fail to achieve their operational objectives due to severe maintenance and functional deficits. This study investigates these persistent performance gaps by analyzing RWH implementations in mid-rise residential apartments built in Pune over the last decade (2015–2025). Employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach, the research utilizes QGIS and Google Earth Pro for spatial mapping and temporal analysis to identify highly water-stressed urban zones. From this analysis, sixteen residential buildings were systematically shortlisted based on building height, construction timeline, geographic vulnerability, and RWH typology. Field surveys and empirical evaluations revealed a profound disconnect, noting that occupants largely lack an understanding of their mandatory RWH systems. To mitigate these challenges and revive operational effectiveness, the study conducted a technical review of commercially available RWH technologies in India, evaluating them for feasibility, cost implications, maintenance requirements, and scalability. Tailored, site-specific system recommendations were then formulated based on catchment potential, spatial constraints, and user demand profiles. Ultimately, this research concludes that the widespread failure of RWH systems in the residential sector stems not from technological inadequacies, but from a critical lack of context-sensitive architectural design, deficient governance, poor user awareness, and inadequate maintenance protocols. Addressing these systemic oversights is paramount for restoring operational efficiency and advancing true urban water resilience.

Keywords: Rainwater harvesting, water scarcity, QGIS, Google Earth Pro, policy

[This article belongs to International Journal of Environmental Planning and Development Architecture ]

How to cite this article: Tanguturu Sai Mahidhar, Aditi Lanke. Assessment of Operation and Maintenance Issues in the Rainwater Harvesting Systems of Residential Apartments Built in the Last Decade: A Case Study of Pune. International Journal of Environmental Planning and Development Architecture. 2026; 04(02):95-111.
How to cite this URL: Tanguturu Sai Mahidhar, Aditi Lanke. Assessment of Operation and Maintenance Issues in the Rainwater Harvesting Systems of Residential Apartments Built in the Last Decade: A Case Study of Pune. International Journal of Environmental Planning and Development Architecture. 2026; 04(02):95-111. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijepda/article=2026/view=260399

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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 04
Issue 02
Received 27/05/2026
Accepted 15/07/2026
Published 30/07/2026
Publication Time 64 Days

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