Collect rain water every house!

Mangaluru: The people are waiting for the arrival of the monsoon. This is not just to escape from the summer heat, but mostly to gain freedom from the clutches of lack of water. Amidst this, many have discovered their own method to escape from the very same problem since a few years. Instead of letting the rain water to flow uselessly, they have made an attempt to collect and keep the water. Besides, learning a lesson from this year’s heat, they have shown in rain water harvesting. The aim of ‘Udayavani’ is to assist such people and hence here is an article regarding the practice of rain water harvesting.

Let terrace water into the sump

Instead of letting the water collected on the roofs of houses and buildings, terraces and above windows and doors to flow to waste, this water must be collected at a single place with through pipes. For this, a sump (water collection pit) must be created. Later a pipeline system must be installed for the collection if water from the terrace. Since during the first rain, there is a possibility of mud and garbage getting deposited in the sump, rain water is collected only after a couple of rains. In this way, while collecting rain water into the sump, install a mesh filtration system in the pipes. The total cost for this would be around Rs 5,000 – Rs 6,000. In that too, the pipeline needs to be installed based on the distance between the sump and the terrace. Hence, depending upon the spread of the house, the cost may vary.

Let rain water into the well

If there is an open well or a bore well in the premises of the house, the rain water can be effectively retained. The water dripping from the terrace and tiled roofs can be used to refill the well. Here too, pipe need to be installed. If the water flows directly into the well with force, the mud in the well could get mixed with the water making it muddy. Therefore, install a shower head at the end of the pipes. In case of big wells, no matter the amount of water let into the well, it will not overflow. Instead, it will get absorbed into the well and flow underground through spring outlets. Due to this sometimes, the area surrounding such wells may retain water for longer periods of time. This will approximately cost 5 to 6 thousand rupees, say experts.

“Water recharging“for bore wells

The water dripping from the terrace and roofs can be collected and flowed into bore wells through pipes. Otherwise, he bore well may be fit with “Water recharging” system. In other words, a pit with the width and depth of 3 and 10 feet respectively should be dug around the bore well. The pit must be filled with gravel, then baby gravel followed by sand. It will be good if a ring is put around. After this, if the rain water is let into it, it will start absorbing it. In only a few years, the benefits of the absorbed water will be observed through the bore well. According to an estimate, a single bore well has the capacity of taking 2,73,000 liters of water at a time.

Conserve water through water percolation pit

For those who find it difficult to install a pipeline network for collecting the rain water from the roof, they can instead opt for water percolation pit. Identify the water path were the water from the roof and the courtyard combine and flow and create water percolation pits along the path. This practice can be used around coconut trees. Water percolation pit is not contained by measurement limits. The pit should only be such that it can capture most of the flowing water. Normally, the pit is a meter long and half-a-meter wide and deep. Through this plan, if the amount of rain received by our district is to be measured, then it is possible to absorb rain water in lakhs together.

If you have done rain water harvesting, inform us

Many among the city dwellers have already attempted this constructive undertaking. Rain water harvesting practice can be done through open wells, bore wells and through water percolation pits for those with limited space at a low expenditure. In this way, those who are completely dependent upon water from corporation will come out from a strenuous situation. Thus, the success stories of those who have implemented this permanent solution can also become an inspiration for others. Hence, kindly send your success story to 9900567000. A select few shall be published.

Let the rain water remain within the limits of the house!

The rain water collected in the sump/tank can be used for the entire monsoon period. Hence, people need not depend upon the water from Netravati River during the monsoon season. If the sump/tank is bigger, even more water can be conserved. Amidst this, once the water in the sump is filled to its limits, excess water can be redirected towards the well. By absorbing the water through the well, water can be retained for future days. If water recharging is done for bore wells, it will last for a long time. It will be good if all the houses, government buildings start harvesting rain water through wells or bore wells under the rain water harvesting plan.

Necessary for the future of the city

“Rain water harvesting is a good solution. It is enough to stop the water otherwise flowing to waste; it will get absorbed into the ground and then restore rivers, lakes and wells. It will increase the ground water table. This practice can be implemented in every single house. This will be extremely profitable for the people of the city in the future days,” said Bharatraj Mundoli, Rain Water Harvesting Expert

Most of the water can be saved

“If the people of the city implement rain water harvesting effectively, most of the water can be saved. The rain water dripping from the terrace or roofs of houses can be conserved by re-directing the water into a sump, well and bore wells. Interest towards water percolation pits must also be grown,” said Dr Shrisha Kumar MK, Rain Water Harvesting Expert