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Harvesting rain...
but is it really as simple as
that?
Find out for yourself.
What is rainwater harvesting?
It simply means catching and holding rain where it falls and using it. You can store it in tanks or you can use it to recharge groundwater. See how people harvest rain.
Does it work?
Yes. Our ancestors harvested rain just as naturally as they tilled
the ground to grow
crops. We lost touch with these local solutions. But now, as the taps dry up, more and more people are reviving this age-old system and practicing it very
successfully.
Can I harvest rain in my own house?
Yes you can. Structures to harvest rain require little space. A dried
borewell, a row of soak pits or a tank--concealed below the ground-
are all that you need. The open spaces -- rooftops
and ground - can be used as your catchment (surface to catch rain). Find out
how it is done...
How much will it cost?
It varies, depending on the area of your roof and other structures
that you will use to harvest rain. But rainwater harvesting does not
require major construction work, so the expenses suit most of our
pockets. Find
out for yourself.
Who will build it and how long will it take?
You need someone who understands rainwater harvesting. It is simple but it still needs someone who has experience in the principles of rainwater
harvesting. Then a skilled mason or a plumber can do the job for you within 10 days.
Know more about
water harvesters in your city. We have put together a list of such people and will keep updating this list as more people harvest rain.
Who will it benefit?
You. Your groundwater will be recharged. But as groundwater moves, your neighbourhood will gain too. So for best results, get all your neighbours to become rainwater harvesters as well.
What will be the quality of water?
You are putting rain water into the ground, which once contaminated, cannot be cleaned
easily. Please do not let water with sewage or other dirt flow into your recharge pits. This is why the cleanest rainwater is from our rooftops. There are also filters to keep some dirt out. See
for yourself.
Does it require a lot of maintenance?
Once or twice a year, at very little cost. Remember rainwater harvesting means that you have to get involved. This is about making water all our business. This is about building our relationship with water. With the environment. Harvest rain. Learn the value of each raindrop.
Write to us if you want more information.
Become a water warrior. Join the Jal Swaraj movement.
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