Rainwater Harvesting

Rain Water Harvesting Methods

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a simple method by which rainfall is collected for future usage. The collected rainwater may be stored, utilised in different ways or directly used for recharge purposes. With depleting groundwater levels and fluctuating climate conditions, RWH can go a long way to help mitigate these effects. Capturing the rainwater can help recharge local aquifers, reduce urban flooding and most importantly ensure water availability in water-scarce zones. Though the term seems to have picked up greater visibility in the last few years, it was, and is even today, a traditional practice followed in rural India. Some ancient rainwater harvesting methods followed in India include madakas, ahar pynes, surangas, taankas and many more.

This water conservation method can be easily practiced in individual homes, apartments, parks, offices and temples too, across the world. Farmers have recharged their dry borewells, created water banks in drought areas, greened their farms, increased sustainability of their water resources and even created a river. Technical know how for the rooftop RWH with direct storage can be availed for better implementation. RWH An effective method in water scarce times, it is also an easily doable practice. Practical advice is available in books written by Indukanth Ragade & Shree Padre, talks by Anupam Mishra and other easy to follow fun ways

Read our FAQ on Rainwater Harvesting and have many basic questions answered.

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Discover innovative rainwater harvesting techniques and methods to conserve water. Learn about various rain water harvesting practices, benefits, and implementation strategies. Visit India Water Portal for expert guidance.
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Featured Articles
September 21, 2022 The unique design and functioning of the Chakla bavdi in Chanderi Madhya Pradesh is another example of the water wisdom of our ancestors, which needs to be conserved and passed on to the future generations.
Chakla Bavdi at Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (Image Source: Shirole, S. 2022. Architectural eloquence: Water harvesting structure in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (India). Ancient Asia, 13: 9, pp. 1–13)
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Can greening of barren lands happen? (Image Source: India Water Portal Flickr photos)
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Agriculture Rainwater Harvesting - Newsletter from International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA)
The current edition of the newsletter features agricultural rainwater harvesting and how it can contribute to the world of farming. Posted on 11 May, 2010 04:50 PM

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) was created in Geneva in November 2002 following recomendations formulated during the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg two months earlier. The mandate called for federation and unification of the disparate rainwater harvesting (RWH) movement around the world, to promote rainwater as a valuable water resource and to build on achievements in this field for the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals.

In partnership with the most eminent organisations and individuals in the field, the IRHA provides a lobbying and advocacy platform for RWH. It supports the growth of RWH solutions to water supply problems. It also provides a forum for its members to work together or share experiences, and thus for the benefit of people living with water scarcity.

Topic of this issue: Agricultural Rainwater Harvesting

Ensuring safe drinking water through innovative technologies to eradicate fluorosis - Sachetana Project - Information manual by BIRDK and Govt of Karnataka
This manual provides the details of the Sachetana project that aims to provide safe drinking water to fluorosis affected populations through the adoption of innovative technologies. Posted on 05 May, 2010 05:31 PM

Ensuring safe drinking water through innovative technologies to eradicate fluorosis - Sachetana Project - BIRDK and Govt of KarnatakaThis manual produced by BIRD-K and DRDPR (GoK) provides the details of the Sachetana project that aims to provide safe drinking water to fluorosis affected populations through the adoption of innovative technologies for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

The project is being implemented through the Gram Panchayats of 60 villages from 4 taluks among three districts of Karnataka state over a period of five years (2006-11).

The objectives of the project include:

  • Provision of safe drinking water through innovative rain harvesting structures
  • Recharge of groundwater through excavation of percolation ponds
  • Recharge of existing bore wells and direct recharge of aquifers
  • Awareness generation activities to promote sustainable management and management of water resources and water harvesting structures.
Water conservation by Industry – A case study of ITC, Saharanpur
This presentation describes the work of ITC Saharanpur, a cigarette manufacturing company in the field of water conservation, by reusing treated water and other initiatives. Posted on 29 Apr, 2010 12:41 PM

This presentation describes the work of ITC Saharanpur, a cigarette manufacturing company in the field of water conservation. Its water saving projects are centered around re-use of treated water for reducing water consumption, Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) based effluent network system in residential areas, rainwater harvesting, installation of Cold Plasma Unit in place of wet scrubbers and installation of a jet spray system.

Rain water harvesting, recycling, reuse of waste water and using less water will help in water conservation, says Sekhar Raghavan, director of Rain Center, Chennai
Speaking at a meeting organised in Coimbatore on the occasion of World Water Day, Sekar Raghavan of Rain Center emphasised on rainwater harvesting, recycling and reuse of waste water. Posted on 21 Apr, 2010 05:45 PM

Post forwarded by : Sekhar Raghavan

Rainwater filtration from large roofs in polluted environments to potable quality
Posted on 21 Apr, 2010 05:25 PM

Is there anyone in India who is willing to develop a multi-stage Saferain unit with me?
Imagine a 5000 sq metre factory in New Delhi, (or Shanghai, or wherever).

The air is polluted, the roof is polluted, and, yet, I say that potable. or near so, can be delivered in a rain event. The following is a cut and paste. This is how it's

Best practices for water management at a household and residential layout-level in Bangalore - A note by Biome
These documents enlist best practices in urban water management relevant for households in a gated layout/group housing complex, where sourcing is in the hands of the layout. Posted on 09 Apr, 2010 02:07 AM

These two documents enlist best practices in urban water management, based on the experiences of Biome Solutions, and are relevant for households in a gated layout/group housing complex, where the water sourcing, supply and management is in the hands of the layout and there is no connection to the the local water supply authority.

When Pigs Fly: Rainbow Drive Layout's efforts towards water sustainability - Citizens at the centre of Integrated Urban Water Management
The Rainbow Drive Layout community in Bangalore represent impressive achievements for an urban community in managing its water in a more sustainable and integrated manner. Posted on 08 Apr, 2010 09:45 PM

Proceedings of the Rainwater Harvesting Mela 2010 held on the occasion of World Water Day by Arghyam in Bangalore
Report on the Rainwater Harvesting Mela event in Bangalore, conceived with the purpose of making it easier for citizens to access the service providers for RWH.
Posted on 07 Apr, 2010 03:26 PM

Ms.Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Arghyam addressing the gathering

200 ft deep wells , in the corner of roads/parks , needed for rain water harvesting in cities
The article is about the need for 200ft deep wells in the corner of roads or parks, which help in harvesting rainwater and contribute to the urban water requirement. Posted on 31 Mar, 2010 11:51 AM

RAIN WATER HARVESTING AT CITY.
LET US MAKE PLANS TO PRESERVE WATER AND SAVE THE ROADS.

Water is an important and essential commodity to every one which is to be preserved.

AT CITIES.

Water bank - Video about a farmer-scientist's work on harvesting rainwater in drought-prone Ankoli village, Solapur, Maharashtra
This video describes farmer-scientist Arun Deshpande's work on conserving water, through a "Water Bank", in drought-prone Solapur district of Maharashtra. Posted on 26 Mar, 2010 02:07 PM

This video from the marathi news channel Star Majha, describes farmer-scientist Arun Deshpande's work on conserving water, through a "Water Bank", in other words, an on-farm pond with a capacity of about 5 crore litres of water, in drought-prone Solapur district of Maharashtra.

Arun is part of Prayog Pariwar (a collaborative network of self-experimenting farmers, initiated by renowned scientist Shripad Dabholkar) and some more details about his work on watershed development are here. Arun's blog is here.

Watch the video:

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