RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Rain water harvesting techniques to
augment ground water
Fresh water is scarce
- Of the total water on earth, only 3% constitutes freshwater. Rest is saline water in the oceans.
- 11% of the total freshwater on earth is groundwater available upto a depth of 800m which can be extracted for use.
- Mindless extraction and over exploitation of very small quantity of this precious nature resource has caused a rapid depletion and deterioration in its quantity and quality both.
Ground water is pumped and consumed rapidly due to:
Population explosion, Rapid economic development, Water-hungry farms
Population explosion, Rapid economic development, Water-hungry farms
When groundwater is rapidly consumed, recharge to the
original levels by natural process can take months or years. If corrective
actions are not taken, it may lead to famine due to collapse of agricultural
output and severe potable water scarcity.
One of the easiest ways to recharge ground water is by
implementing Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) in all
- Residences with any type of roof
- Shopping complex, railway stations, bus terminals, government buildings, schools, flyovers including temples, churches, mosques etc.,
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
In the
present scenario management and distribution of water has become centralized.
People depend on government system, which has resulted in disruption of
community participation in water management and collapse of traditional water
harvesting system.
As the water crisis continues to become severe, there is a dire
need of reform in water management system and revival of traditional systems.
Scientific and technological studies needs to be carried out to assess present
status so as to suggest suitable mitigative measures for the revival to
traditional system/wisdom. Revival process should necessarily be backed by
people's initiative and active public participation.
Living creatures of the universe are made of five basic elements, viz.,
Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Sky, Obviously, water is one of the most important
elements and no creature can survive without it. Despite having a great regard
for water, we seem to have failed to address this sector seriously. Human being
could not save and conserve water and it sources, probably because of its
availability in abundance. But this irresponsible attitude resulted in
deterioration of water bodies with respect to quantity and quality both. Now,
situation has arrived when even a single drop of water matters. However. "
better late than never", we have not realized the seriousness of this
issue and initiated efforts to overcome those problems.
Methods of Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting
System of
collection rainwater and conserving for future needs has traditionally been
practiced in India. The traditional systems were time-tested wisdom of not only
appropriate technology of Rainwater Harvesting, but also water
management systems, where conservation of water was the prime concern.
Traditional water harvesting systems were Bawaries, step wells, jhiries, lakes,
tanks etc. These were the water storage bodies to domestic and irrigation
demands. People were themselves responsible for maintenance to water sources
and optimal use of water that could fulfill their needs.
What
is Rainwater Harvesting?
The term rainwater
harvesting is being frequently used these days, however, the concept of water
harvesting is not new for India. Water harvesting techniques had been evolved
and developed centuries ago.
Ground water resource gets naturally recharged through percolation. But due to indiscriminate development and rapid urbainzation, exposed surface for soil has been reduced drastically with resultant reduction in percolation of rainwater, thereby depleting ground water resource. Rainwater harvesting is the process of augmenting the natural filtration of rainwater in to the underground formation by some artificial methods. "Conscious collection and storage of rainwater to cater to demands of water, for drinking, domestic purpose & irrigation is termed as Rainwater Harvesting."
Ground water resource gets naturally recharged through percolation. But due to indiscriminate development and rapid urbainzation, exposed surface for soil has been reduced drastically with resultant reduction in percolation of rainwater, thereby depleting ground water resource. Rainwater harvesting is the process of augmenting the natural filtration of rainwater in to the underground formation by some artificial methods. "Conscious collection and storage of rainwater to cater to demands of water, for drinking, domestic purpose & irrigation is termed as Rainwater Harvesting."
Why
Harvest Rainwater?
This is
perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions, as to why one should
harvest rainwater. There are many reasons but following are some of the
important ones.
- To arrest ground water decline and augment ground water table
- To beneficiate water quality in aquifers
- To conserve surface water runoff during monsoon
- To reduce soil erosion
- To inculcate a culture of water conservation
How to Harvest Rainwater:
Broadly
there are two ways of harvesting rainwater:
(i) Surface runoff
harvesting
(ii)Roof top rainwater harvesting
Surface Runoff Harvesting:
In urban area rainwater flows away as surface runoff. This runoff could be caught and used for recharging aquifers by adopting appropriate methods.
In urban area rainwater flows away as surface runoff. This runoff could be caught and used for recharging aquifers by adopting appropriate methods.
Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting
(RTRWH):
It is a system of catching
rainwater where it falls. In rooftop harvesting, the roof becomes the
catchments, and the rainwater is collected from the roof of the house/building.
It can either be stored in a tank or diverted to artificial recharge
system. This method is less expensive and very effective and if implemented
properly helps in augmenting the ground water level of the area.
Methods of Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting
In this
method rain water collected from the roof of the building is diverted to a
storage tank. The storage tank has to be designed according to the water
requirements, rainfall and catchment availability. Each drainpipe should have
mesh filter at mouth and first flush device followed by filtration system
before connecting to the storage tank. It is advisable that each tank should
have excess water over flow system.
Excess
water could be diverted to recharge system. Water from storage tank can be used
for secondary purposes such as washing and gardening etc. This is the most cost
effective way of rainwater harvesting. The main advantage of collecting and
using the rainwater during rainy season is not only to save water from
conventional sources, but also to save energy incurred on transportation and
distribution of water at the doorstep. This also conserves groundwater, if it
is being extracted to meet the demand when rains are on.
Recharging
ground water Aquifers
Ground
water aquifers can be recharged by various kinds of structures to ensure
percolation of rainwater in the ground instead of draining away from the
surface. Commonly used recharging methods are:-
a)
Recharging of bore
wells
b)
Recharging of dug wells.
c)
Recharge
pits
d)
Recharge Trenches
e)
Soak ways or Recharge Shafts
f)
Percolation Tanks
Ensure
that the Rainwater Harvesting arrangement in your building is maintained
properly & reap maximum benefit.
Gain
from Rain. Collect, Preserve and Use
WATER
IS PRESIOUS! SAVE EVERY DROP!
"Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change
the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Change Begins with you
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Note: views are personal.
Source: Articles taken from internet.