Rainwater Harvesting

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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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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Illegal transverse check dams (Badhals) built on Ichamati near a village in Basirhat (Image: Prithviraj Nath @ TheWaterChronicles)
July 11, 2022 The Chauka system of Rajasthan can not only provide a sustainable way to manage water resources in water stressed regions, but also support livelihoods through development of pastures.
Can greening of barren lands happen? (Image Source: India Water Portal Flickr photos)
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Charkhari talab in Bundelkhand (Image: IWP Flickr)
How to recharge groundwater: The many techniques of artificial recharge
An article that explains the basics of how to recharge groundwater Posted on 26 Aug, 2009 01:57 PM

An article in Parivesh, produced b the ENVIS Centre – the Central Pollution Control Board explores the advantage of groundwater recharge, in particular artificial recharge systems. These help to prevent decline in groundwater tables, and resolve saline water intrusion, a common problem in coastal areas.

Rainwater harvesting made mandatory in Andhra Pradesh: All Municipal Corporations and Urban Development authorities directed to implement provisions
Find the link to the Government order specifying provisions which make rainwater harvesting compulsory in Andhra Pradesh Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 02:38 PM

This government order on the rainwater harvesting website of Centre for Science and Environment makes rainwater harvesting  mandatory in all Municipal Corporations, Urban Development Authorities and Municipalities, buildings with an a

Government order making rainwater harvesting mandatory in Kanpur (2003)
Find the link to the government order which makes rainwater harvesting mandatory in all new buildings with an area of 1000 sq m or more in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 01:08 PM

This hindi document from the rainwater harvesting site of the Centre for Science and Envir

Rooftop rain water harvesting arrangements in Kerala - Municipality Building (Amendment) Rules (2004)
The Kerala Government's Department of Drinking Water Supply's notification on rooftop rain water harvesting arrangements in the state Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 01:02 PM

This document from the Department of Drinking Water Supply (Government of Kerala) published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 92/2004, dated 12-01-2004 by the Government of Kerala includes a notification on the amendment of rules and includes:

Provision of rainwater harvesting structure - Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2003
Link to the Tamilnadu Government's official ordinance which made rainwater harvesting compulsory in the state Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:58 PM

Provision of Rain Water Harvesting Structure - Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2003 - Read more

Rainwater harvesting in India: Traditional and contemporary
A brief look at the historical development of traditional rainwater harvesting systems of India ans also issues, need and relevance of RWH in the urban context Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:41 PM

The document informs that traditionally Indians worshipped both water and rain as “Jala” and “Varuna”. Even rivers were worshipped. Till 3000 B.C., RWH happened without human effort as rain got collected in rivers and natural depressions. Civilizations flourished on river banks all over the world Indus valley civilization in India.

A movie on rainwater harvesting in an urban home
The film shows how rainwater harvesting can be done in urban homes and the simplicity of the technique Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:34 PM

Courtesy: KUIDFC, Time: 7:09mins.

Getting started with rainwater harvesting: A movie in Kannada
A lighthearted look at getting started with Rainwater Harvesting. Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:30 PM

Time: 1:12 mins.

Megh Pyne Abhiyan: An initiative to promote rainwater harvesting to provide safe drinking water during floods
A brief introduction to what drives the Megh Pyne Abhiyan Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:15 PM

Megh Pyne Abhiyan - Baadh prabhavit sthalon mein varsha jal sangrahan

Read more about the effort in Hindi

"Sooru Neeru" - A book in Kannada on rooftop rainwater harvesting
Download all seven parts of the book from the links provided below Posted on 21 Aug, 2009 12:08 PM

"Sooru Neeru" - A Kannada book from the Karnataka State Resource Center provides information about rooftop rainwater harvesting.

Total size: 3MB

Download all seven parts in Kannada from the links provided

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