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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Water conservation by industry - A case study of Kirloskar Brothers Limited (Pune)
This presentation describes the work of Kirloskar Brothers Limited, in conserving water in its industrial processes, at its plant in Pune. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:47 PM

The various initiatives taken up include installing sensors/push type tap for hand wash/urinals, close loop hydro testing, installing drip irrigation and sprinklers for garden, installing float valves for old overhead tank, using percolated rain water for process, use of AC condensed water, use of air cooled instead of water cooled compressors, treating waste water and more.

Total water management by industry - A case study of JSW Steel (Vijayanagar)
This presentation describes the work of JSW Steel in implementing total water management in its plant at Vijayanagar, Karnataka. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:43 PM

The various initiatives taken up include installing a fin-fan heat exchanger, rain water harvesting, increasing cycles of concentration in cooling towers, pumping seepage water, cascading use of water, zero waste water discharge and more.

Water conservation by industry - A case study of JK Tyre and Industries Limited (Kankroli)
This presentation describes the work of JK Tyre and Industries Limited, in conserving water in its Kankroli plant. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:38 PM

The various strategies adopted by the company for recycling and reusing water included working for zero discharge, developing hydrophobia for water in unwanted places, eliminating all open drains, optimising/loading cooling towers to their 100%, reducing evaporation losses, radiator/air cooling, eliminating flash losses in steam usage, eliminating wastage, treating sewage and rain water harvesting. 

Water conservation in industry - A case study of ITC Limited - Paperboards and speciality papers division - Kovai, Tribeni and Bhadrachalam units (Tamil Nadu)
This presentation describes the work of ITC Paperboards and Speciality Papers Division , in conserving water, through waste water reuse and recycling and through various water reduction methods. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:32 PM

 Some of the initiatives taken up are, recirculation of fresh water from overhead tank for compressor cooling, reduction of sealing water in couch by use of anti friction bearing, refurbishing of steam and condenser circuit, sequencing of coloured laminating grade making, use of new generation centri-cleaner system, reduction of leakage of glandsealing water through use of mechanical seals, use of highly efficient imported vacuum pumps, reduction in consumption of make up water in cooling water, introduction of reverse osmosis system, utilisation of treated effluent water for irrigation and more.

Water conservation in industry - A case study from ITC Limited (Munger)
This presentation describes the work of ITC Limited, Munger, in conserving water in its industrial processes. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:29 PM

Water conservation has been carried out through establishing an overall water balance, reducing at source, reusing in other beneficial applications after treatment (land scaping, toilet flushing, cooling tower applications and civil constructions), and recycling back to process applications after appropriate treatment.

Water conservation in industry - A case study of IFFCO (Phulpur)
This presentation describes the work of Indian Farmers' Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), in conserving water in its industrial processes Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:20 PM

This presentation explains the work of Indian Farmers' Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in conserving water, in its industrial processes, through recycling and reducing water usage. Methods used were increasing cycle of concentration of cooling, recycling of turbine condensate, installing water spraying system in guard pond, effluent treatment based on steam stripper and reuse in processes, and rainwater harvesting.

Water conservation in industry: A case study of Glaxo Smith Kline Limited (Rajamundhry)
This presentation describes the work of Glaxo Smith Kline Limited Rajamundhry, in conserving water and reducing its water consumption in its industrial processes, Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:15 PM

This has been possible through initiatives such as putting in end hose control systems into use, replacing raw water points with treated ones, providing push type taps in toilets, installing leak/spill control clamps, rationalising wash points, mechanising tray cleaning, optimising water pressure, improving condensate recovery, introducing sprinkler/drip irrigation for its gardens, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and more.

Water conservation in industry - A case study of Bajaj Auto Limited (Aurangabad)
This presentation describes the work of Bajaj Auto Limited Aurangabad, in conserving water in its industrial processes, through the three principles of reduce, reuse and recycle. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 04:06 PM

Specific methods used were automation of localized water storage system, elimination of water wastage by providing timer for water supply, constructing pond for harvesting rain water, optimisation of paint sludge pit cleaning, installation of screw compressors without cooling tower compressors, installation of spot cooling system, inst

Water conservation in industry - A case study of Ashok Leyland (Hinduja Group) - (Hosur I and II)
This presentation describes the work of Ashok Leyland Hosur I and II (Hinduja Group) in conserving and managing water better. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 03:57 PM

The company has achieved this through recycle and reuse of wastewater, reducing water consumption by process changes, improving water efficiency in existing processes, implementing zero discharge effluent and reverse osmosis projects, reducing soft water consumption, eliminating water softener usage and using a new liquid surface conditioner.

Water conservation in industry - A case study of ACC Chaibasa Cement Works Limited
This presentation describes the work of ACC Chaibasa Cement Works Limited, in conserving water in its industrial processes. Posted on 17 Nov, 2009 03:53 PM

 This has been carried out through strengthening its water monitoring system by installation of water meters at source points, recycling of effluent of reject pit discharge to abandoned mine pit, zero effluent discharge by providing sedimentation tanks and re-utilisation of effluent. Apart from water, work was also done on reducing Greenhouse gas emissions.

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