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.

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)
July 14, 2022 The river is faced with the dual problem of flood plain encroachment and growing levels of water pollution
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)
March 21, 2022 Recognizing women's accumulated knowledge and adaptive capacities in springshed management
Van Panchayat Samiti discussing the matters related to forest (Image: Varun Raja)
November 9, 2021 Building resilient agricultural system through groundwater management interventions in degraded landscapes of Bundelkhand region
Charkhari talab in Bundelkhand (Image: IWP Flickr)
July 23, 2021 Improper location, poor operation and maintenance of water harvesting and recharge structures threaten water security in Yavatmal
A study assesses the current status of the water harvesting and recharge structures in Yavatmal (Image: India Water Portal Flickr)
Water management by industry - A case study of TATA Chemicals - Mithapur
A presentation on the water management initiatives undertaken by TATA chemicals Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 06:07 PM

This presentation describes the work of Tata Chemicals in organising water management initiatives, with the community around its plant in Mithapur, Gujarat. The various efforts taken up include integrated watershed development, salinity ingress mitigation, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) projects, rooftop rainwater harvesting and implementing water saving technologies.

Salinity mitigation by industry - A case study of Ambuja Cements Limited - Junagadh
This presentation describes the work of Ambuja Cements Limited, in managing salinity in groundwater, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, in coastal Junagadh region of Gujarat. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:47 PM

Water harvesting and conservation work was taken up through building check dams, rooftop rainwater harvesting, building percolation and drinking water wells, deepening of ponds, micro-irrigation, cropping pattern interventions and more.

Water conservation by industry - A case study of Vizag Steel
This presentation describes the work of Vizag Steel, in conserving water in its industrial processes at its Visakhapatnam plant. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:24 PM

The various efforts taken up include water balancing/audit, supply and distribution of water through out the plant at required quality & quantity parameters, water recirculation & conservation, complete chemical treatment, converting waste water into makeup water grade, recovery of metallurgical waste and recycling of water, strengthening cooling system in c

Water conservation by industry - A case study of TATA Chemicals Limited - Babrala (Uttar Pradesh)
This presentation describes the work of Tata Chemicals Limited in conserving water in its industrial processes, at its plant in Babrala, Uttar Pradesh. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:21 PM

The various initiatives taken up include effluent treatment at the source to conserve water and ammonia, using boiler blow down as make up to cooling tower, using treated effluents for green belt development, maximum possible recycling of process/steam condensate, cooling water treatment optimisation, boiler water treatment, installing flow meters, rainwater harvest

Water Conservation in industry - A case study from Sterlite Industries Limited - Tuticorin and Silvassa
This presentation describes the work of Sterlite Industries (Vedanta group), in conserving water in its industrial processes at its Tuticorin and Silvassa plants. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:15 PM

The various initiatives taken up include modification in cooling water arrangement, condensate recovery for filter back washing, reuse of collected condensate water generated by anode casting, rainwater harvesting, conversion of gland packing pumps into mechanical seal, provision of electrolytic cell covers in refinery, control valve provision in storage tank steam

Water conservation by industry - A case study of Sesa Industries Limited (Goa)
This presentation describes the work of Sesa Industries Limited (Vedanta Group) in conserving water at its plant in Amona, Goa. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:10 PM

The various initiatives taken up include watershed development work with the local community, repairing traditional water structures such as bandharas, installing water meters, automating saline water pump, harvesting rain water from the coke shed roof, waste water recycling and more.

Water conservation by industry - A case study of Reliance Industries Limited (Dahej)
This presentation describes the work of Reliance Industries Limited, in conserving water, in its industrial processes at its plant in Dahej, Gujarat. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 05:04 PM

The various initiatives taken up include utilising backwash water for developing Jatropha plantations, recovering waste water, ground water recharging, utilisation of waste steam and reducing steam consumption, increasing cycle of concentration in all cooling towers and more.

Water conservation by industry - A case study of PepsiCo (Palakkad)
A presentation that describes the efforts of PepsiCo in conserving water in its industrial processes, at its plant in Palakkad, Kerala. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:57 PM

 The various efforts taken up include reducing water usage and effluent generation, rainwater harvesting, treating and reusing effluent, reducing chemical usage, reducing ETP sludge, implementing zero discharge and more.

 

Water conservation by industry - A case study of Marico Limited (Jalgaon)
This presentation describes the work of Marico Limited, in conserving water in its industrial processes at its plant in Jalgaon. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:53 PM

The various initiatives taken up include installing a water consumption measurement system, rainwater harvesting, using treated water, eliminating VAM chilled water overflow, diverting and reusing boiler blowdown water for gardening, providing side cover to barometric cooling tower, modifying water taps wit bell type arrangement, provision of sprinklers for gardenin

Water conservation by industry - A case study of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (Nashik)
A presentation that describes the work of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, in conserving water in its industrial processes at its plant in Nashik, Maharashtra. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:50 PM

The various initiatives taken up include rainwater harvesting, installing effluent and sewage treatment plants, distributing water through over ground pipes, optimising the painting process, replacing inefficient pumps, installing the fire hydrant line above the ground and more.

×