Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CONSERVATION SYSTEM
THROUGH RAIN WATER
HARVESTING: AN EXCEL SHEET
APPROACH
Learnium School,
New Delhi, INDIA
2007
Editor
Nainshree Gupta
Sukhmani Ashok
Supervisor
Mehmet Akif Erdogan
Advisor
Er. Sirajuddin Ahmed
ABSTRACT
Water is one of the most important constituents of our planet and most vital reason for
existence of life on the earth. Unfortunately it is being adversely affected both in terms
of quality and quantity by human activities.
Potable water, which is hardly 0.1% of all the water available on the planet, the scarcity
of water is increasing day by day and it is considered to be more threatening than
climate change.
India like semi arid countries is very soon likely to experience Water Stress
Condition. There are no more fresh water sources to exploit, therefore conservation of
water is only a practical solution to this mega problem.
Rain is primary source of fresh water but most of the rainwater goes back to ocean
without being properly used. The rapid urbanization has further aggravated the urban
runoff problem causing regular flooding in cities during rainfall season and depletion of
ground water table. The mushrooming of concrete jungles and network of road and
paved areas has literally sealed the top surface of land and blocked the natural path of
water infiltration to the aquifers in urban area.
Rainwater harvesting is an engineering solution to water problem of urban area
especially in semi arid region.
A very simple and user friendly excel program is developed to calculate the critical
rainfall intensity, annul rainwater harvesting potential and optimum volume of recharge,
cost of recharge structure, volume of water required to store for dry days, and cost of
storage. A help sheet is also developed to make this program easy to use without any
subject knowledge. Two case studies at micro and meso scale for design of rainwater
harvesting through recharge well were demonstrated using self-developed excel
program.
CONTENT
ABSTRACT
CONTENT
Introduction
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Impact of urbanization
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.3
12
12
13
13
13
15
15
17
20
21
22
24
25
Infiltration of water
Water consumptions
Urban flood
Ground water table
Water harvesting
3.1
3.2
3
4
6
6
7
7
9
11
Hydrological Parameters
Assessment of Critical Discharge
Assessment of Annual Potential of Rainwater Harvesting
Development of Excel based Design Calculator
Case Study
5.1
5.2
26
29
30
30
34
34
36
Conclusion
37
Bibliography
39
List of Figures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Hydrological Cycle
Distribution of Water on Globe
Water Scarcity Region
Severe Drought
Aquifer System
Different Water Harvesting Practices in India
View of Baoli in Delhi
6
7
8
9
14
16
17
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
18
19
22
22
22
22
24
24
25
List of Tables
1.
2.
27
28
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Importance of Potable Water
India has a total annual availability of renewable fresh water of 2.085 million m3, lower than
Brazil (6.949), Russia (9.465), Indonesia (2.530), the USA (2.478) and China (2.427). The
economical use of water must be promoted both in the developed and the developing societies.
Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of all water use in the developing societies.
Indias per capita water availability in 2004 was 2000 m3 compared with 110,000 for Canada,
9900 for US and 4400 for Japan. These countries have been able to harness large parts of their
water resources through proper management. Unfortunately, we have not been able to make
proper utilisation of our water resources, leading to tremendous water stress in many parts of
India. As of today, the country is experiencing chronic water shortages, and the affected area is
likely to increase significantly by 2025. We cannot afford to overlook the genuine need for
optimal utilisation of water resources. Proper management and utilisation of water resources
have become a major global issue with significant implications for population planning, welfare,
social stability and peace.
1.3
Scarcity of Water
The situation is critical in developing countries as the gap between the water demand and the
supply has been continuously widening. This has led to an increased emphasis on the optimal
management of the available resources. Rigorous planning and management of water resources
is required for long term sustainable resource development. The need for optimal management
of existing water resource systems as well as the optimal development of the new ones is now
universally acknowledged. Water resource systems are an important part of the infra-structure of
every country, particularly the developing ones. In addition to the basic purpose of supporting
life, they serve a multitude of water uses such as the water supply, hydropower generation,
recreation, irrigation, flood control, navigation and wild life maintenance. India is likely to
experience WATER STRESSES from this year i.e. 2007 onwards. It will be pertinent to shift
the thrust of the policies from water development to sustain water development. Half a
century back, the high level of sub soil water was a major problem of Delhi the Government
had an exclusive division to install large number of tube-wells to compound the water to
Yamuna to lower the ground water level. Today the problem is exactly the opposite. The water
table has gone down to such as extent that we are desperately trying to recharge the aquifers.
Human interference with the environment has made rains more irregular, since the natural cycle,
is disturbed. The quantity of rainfall is becoming erratic, reduced and uncertain. Hence, a need
for conservation is felt much more than ever before. The rise of urban development, amenities,
and luxury is driving to high per-capita consumption of water. It is therefore necessary to
conserve and augment the renewable natural ground water resources as a last chance for
survival, realizing that natural resources are not unlimited if they are exploited beyond certain
limits.
A vital element of this shift in strategy is the increasing importance of water harvesting and
artificial recharge of ground water. With industrialisation, urbanisation and rising living
standards, non-agriculture uses of water are increasing exponentially. The rapid developments
of cities and
population explosion in urban areas have, led to the depletion of available surface water
resources. Now, the available water resources are at far then distance, from the cities, forcing
the municipal corporation to spend higher capital expenditure and longer time for planning and
execution for the conveyance of water. This has also resulted into over exploitation of surface
sources like wells for drinking and industrial use, resulting in the dropping of water levels and
drying up of bore wells or sea-water intrusion because of the imbalance of inflow and outflow
equation for sub-surface water. The key aquifers in India are being over-pumped, and the soil is
growing saltier through contamination with irrigation water.
It is a well known fact that whenever the environment is degraded in the form of pollution or
drying up of water sources, it is the poor who suffer the most. Even though they have much less
water demand than the rich, they suffer most because they live on the undeveloped lands. The
government has constraints of funds to employ high technological solutions; the private sector
may not be interested since it is not be a profitable venture. For these poor people, water scarcity
means death or utter misery.
According to the estimates, a leaking faucet dripping one drop per second can amount to 25
litres per day and to more than 10,000 litres per year. That is enough water to wash more than
65 loads of clothing; have 140 five-minute showers, or enough to wash 40 cars. Over the years,
rising populations, growing industrialization, and expanding agriculture have pushed up the
demand for water. Efforts have been made to collect water by building
dams and reservoirs and digging wells; some countries have also tried to
recycle and desalinate (remove salts) water.
Our religious texts and epics give a good insight into the water storage
and conservation systems that prevailed in early days. In the forests,
water seeps gently into the ground as vegetation breaks the fall. This
groundwater, in turn, feeds wells, lakes, and rivers. Protecting forests
means protecting water catchments. In ancient India, people believed
that forests were the mothers of rivers and worshipped the sources of
these water bodies.
One of the oldest water harvesting systems in India is found about 130
km from Pune, along Naneghat in the Western Ghats. A large number
of tanks were cut in the rocks to provide drinking water to tradesmen
who used to travel along this ancient trade route. Each fort in the area
had its own water harvesting and storage system in the form of rockcut cisterns, ponds, tanks and wells that are still in use today. A large
number of forts like Raigad had tanks that supplied water. In the
ancient times, houses in parts of western Rajasthan were built so that
each had a rooftop water harvesting system. Rainwater from these
rooftops was directed into underground tanks. This system can be seen
even today in all the forts, palaces and houses of the region.
Underground baked earthen pipes and tunnels to maintain the flow of
water and to transport it to distant places, are still functional at
Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, Golkonda and Bijapur in Karnataka, and Aurangabad in
Maharashtra.
The most important step in the direction of finding solutions to issues of water and
environmental conservation is to change peoples attitudes and habits.
There are numerous methods to reduce such losses and to improve soil moisture. Some of them
are listed below.
1.
Mulching, i.e., the application of organic or inorganic material such as plant debris,
compost, etc., slows down the surface run-off, improves the soil moisture, reduces
evaporation losses and improves soil fertility.
2. Soil covered by crops, slows down run-off and minimizes evaporation losses. Hence, fields
should not be left bare for long periods of time.
3. Ploughing helps to move the soil around. As a consequence, it retains more water thereby
reducing evaporation.
4. Shelter belts of trees and bushes along the edge of agricultural fields slow down the wind
speed and reduce evaporation and erosion.
5. Planting of trees, grass, and bushes breaks the force of rain and
helps rainwater penetrate the soil.
6. Fog and dew contain substantial amounts of water that can be
used directly by adapted plant species. Artificial surfaces such
as netting-surfaced traps or polyethylene sheets can be exposed
to fog and dew. The resulting water can be used for crops.
10
7. Contour farming is adopted in hilly areas and in lowland areas for paddy fields. Farmers
recognise the efficiency of contour-based systems for conserving soil and water.
8. Salt-resistant varieties of crops have also been developed recently. Since these grow in
saline areas, the overall agricultural productivity is increased without making additional
demands on freshwater sources. Thus, it is a good water conservation strategy.
9. Transfer of water from surplus areas to deficit areas by inter-linking water systems through
canals, etc.
10. Use of efficient watering systems such as drip irrigation and sprinklers will reduce the water
consumption by plants.
11
12
13
The combined effect of this altered hydrology has led to more frequent and severe
flooding in the metropolitan area and nearby surface water resources such as river and
lakes during rainy seasons. The water level goes too low during Dry periods thus
significantly affecting the buffering capacity of the aquifer. An aquifer is a subterranean
geologic unit (or layer) of permeable material (like sand and gravel) that is capable of
providing usable quantities of water to a well. Aquifers can be confined or unconfined.
A confined aquifer has a low permeability confining layer (an aquitard), such as clay,
above it that restricts the upward and downward movement of the water. If a confined
aquifer follows a downward grade from its recharge zone, groundwater can become pressurized
as it flows. This can create artesian wells that flow freely without the need of a pump. The top of
the upper unconfined aquifer is called the Water table, where water pressure is equal to
atmospheric pressure.
Lower water tables in the shallow aquifer have led to a decline in the base flow to local rivers in
dry weather which is a direct source of clean water to the cities at its bank.
One of the biggest challenging aspects of urbanization is to mitigate the impact of impervious
surfaces that cause groundwater reduction in infiltration rates and increase in surface runoff
volumes to surface waters. Low-impact of this modified urban hydrology can be made by :
14
2. Flood water harvesting: It can be defined as the collection and storage of creek flow for
irrigation use. Flood water harvesting, also known as large catchments water harvesting or
Spate Irrigation, may be classified into following two forms:
a) In case of floodwater harvesting within stream bed, the water flow is dammed and thus,
inundates the valley bottom of the flood plain. The water is forced to infiltrate and the
wetted area can be used for agriculture or pasture improvement.
b) In case of floodwater diversion, the wade water is forced to leave its natural course and
conveyed to nearby cropping fields. It is practiced in Africa and Middle East Asian regions
3. Groundwater Recharge: It is a rather new term and employed to cover traditional as well as
unconventional ways of ground water extraction. Qanats systems, underground dams and
special types of wells are few examples of the groundwater harvesting techniques.
Groundwater dams like Subsurface Dams and Sand Storage Dams are other fine
examples of groundwater harvesting. They obstruct the flow of ephemeral streams in a
river-bed; the water is stored in the sediment below ground surface and can be used for
aquifer recharge. Sand filled reservoirs have the following advantages:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
4. Fog and dew harvesting: They are forms of precipitation. Due to fine size of fog droplets
and their low velocity of descent (ranging from 1 cm/s to approximately 5 cm/s), moisture is
carried readily by breezes of even low velocity. Hence, fog harvesting requires a nearly
vertical surface as catchments area for its collection. In contrast, dew harvesting requires an
15
Snow, being another form of precipitation, can also be harvested to provide an alternative
supply of freshwater. Applications of the traditional snow harvesting technology to augment
drinking water supplies can be found in Takhar Province, Afghanistan.
16
Fig 6: Different Water Harvesting practices in India
courtyards. From open community lands, they collected the rain and stored it in artificial
wells. Monsoon runoff was also harvested by capturing water from swollen streams
during the monsoon season and stored it various forms of water bodies. Harvesting from
flooded rivers was also practiced in ancient India.
A few of traditions of water harvesting are described below.
Dighis Emperor Shahjahan (1627-58 AD) first shifted the city from the Aravalli hills towards
the plains of the Yamuna. But he made sufficient arrangements to meet the water needs of the
new palace, the army, and the common people. His system of Shahjahani canals and dighis was
probably the best creation of the time.
In the main city, the canal charged dighis and wells. A dighi was a square or circular reservoir of
about 0.38 m by 0.38 m with steps to enter. Each dighi had its own sluice gates. People were not
allowed to bathe or wash clothes on the steps of the dighi. However, one was free to take water
for personal use. People generally hired a kahar or a mashki to draw water from the dighis. Most
of the houses either had their own wells or smaller dighis on their premises. In the event of canal
waters not reaching the town and the dighis consequently running dry, wells were the main
source of water. Some of the major wells were Indara kuan near the present Jubilee cinema,
Pahar-wala-kuan near Gali-pahar-wali, and Chah Rahat near Chhipiwara (feeding water to the
Jama Masjid).
Baolis
Traditional step wells are called vav or vavadi in Gujarat, or baolis or bavadis in
northern India. The construction of step wells date from four periods: Pre-Solanki
period (8th to 11th century CE); Solanki period (11th to 12th century CE); Vaghela period
(mid-13th to end-14th century CE); and the Sultanate period (mid-13th to end-15th century
CE). A major reason for the breakdown of this traditional system is the pressure of
centralisation and agricultural intensification.
17
The sultans of Delhi patronized concept of baolies, constructed and maintained many large
baolis (step wells). Gandak-ki-baoli (so named as its water has gandak the Indian name of
sulphur) was built during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish. The water of this beautiful rock-hewn
baoli is still used for washing and bathing. Adjacent to this, there are the ruins of other baolis
like Rajon-ki-baoli, a baoli in the Dargah of Kaki Saheb, and a caved baoli behind Mahavir
Sthal. During this period baolis were built in other parts of the city too.
Tankas
Tankas (small tank) are underground tanks, found traditionally in most Bikaner houses. They
are built in the main house or in the courtyard. They were circular holes made in the ground,
lined with fine polished lime, in which rainwater was collected. Tankas were often beautifully
decorated with tiles, which helped to keep the water cool. The water was used only for drinking.
If ever there was less than normal rainfall and the tankas did not get filled, the water from
nearby wells and tanks was obtained to fill the household tankas. In this way, the people of
Bikaner were able to meet their water requirements. The tanka system is also found in the
pilgrim town of Dwarka where it has been in existence for centuries. It continues to be used in
residential areas, temples, dharamshalas and hotels.
Khadin
Khadin, also called a dhora, is an ingenious construction designed to harvest surface runoff
water for agriculture. Its main feature is a very long (100-300 m) earthen embankment built
across the lower hill slopes lying below gravely uplands. Sluices and spillways allow excess
water to drain off. The khadin system is based on the principle of harvesting rainwater on
farmland and subsequent use of this water-saturated land for crop production.
First designed by the Paliwal Brahmins of Jaisalmer, in western Rajasthan, in the 15th century,
this system has great similarity with the irrigation methods of the people of Ur (present Iraq)
around 4500 BC, and later of the Nabateans in the Middle East. A similar system is also
reported to have been practised 4,000 years ago in the Negev desert, and in southwestern
Colorado 500 years ago.
18
Zings
Zings are water harvesting structures
found in Ladakh. They are small tanks, in
which collects melted glacier water.
Essential to the system is the network of
guiding channels that brings the water
from the glacier to the tank. As glaciers
melt during the day, the channels fill up
with a trickle that in the afternoon turns
into flowing water. The water collects
towards the evening, and is used the next
day. A water official called the churpun
ensures that water is equitably distributed
Fig 9: Zing Water Harvesting Structure
19
20
Area surrounding the River Ruparel in Rajasthan, the story is different this is one of the best
examples of proper water conservation. The water level in the river began declining due to
extensive deforestation and agricultural activities along the banks and, by the 1980s, a droughtlike situation began to spread. Under the guidance of some NGOs (non-government
organizations), the women living in the area were encouraged to take the initiative in building
johads (round
ponds) and dams to hold back rainwater. Gradually, water began coming back as proper
methods of conserving and harvesting rainwater were followed. The revival of the river has
transformed the ecology of the place and the lives of the people living along its banks. Although
this site does get even half the rainfall received by Cherrapunji, but proper management and
conservation have made the area receive water more than in Cherrapunji.
Advantages of rainwater harvesting can be summarized as below:
4.2
The storage of rain water on surface is a traditional technique and the structures used were
underground tanks, ponds, check dams, weirs etc. Recharge to ground water is a new concept of
rain water harvesting. The techniques of rain water harvestings can be classified as
I.
Storage tanks: Rain water can be stored in tanks for harvesting the roof top rain water.
These tanks may be constructed on the surface as well as under ground by utilising local
material. The size of the tank depends upon the availability of runoff and water demand. After
proper chlorination, the stored water may be used for drinking purpose.
21
: 1.5 2 mm
Gravels
: 5 10 mm
Boulders
: 5 20 cm
22
recharge structure. For removing the silt contents, the runoff water should pass either through a
desalting chamber or filter chamber.
Recharge Wells/Shafts:- For recharging the shallow aquifers which are located below clayey
surface at a depth of about 10 to 15 m, recharge shafts of 0.5 to 3 m. diameter and 10 to 15 m.
deep are constructed depending upon the availability of runoff. These
are back filled with boulders, gravels and coarse sand. For lesser diameter shafts, the reverse
/ direct rotary rigs are used and larger diameter shafts may be dug manually. In upper portion of
1 or 2 m depth, the brick masonry work is carried out for the stability of the structure.
Lateral shafts with bore wells:-: For recharging the upper as well as deeper aquifers,
lateral shafts of 1.5 to 2 m. wide & 10 to 30 m. long (depending upon availability of
water with one or two bore wells) are constructed. The lateral shafts are back filled
with boulders, gravels & coarse sand.
Pressure Injection System:- In this recharge technology, rainwater is first properly filtered
and stored in an underground storage tank. To reduce the volume of storage tank, water is
pumped directly into the aquifer by means of a well developed tube well. The pumping pressure
can be regulated by using water level sensors in the storage tank. This system is usually
practiced in large hotels and apartment with less open space. The recurring cost of water
pumping makes it less economically viable.
23
24
5.0
For proper design of drainage and recharge pit, it is very important to estimate the most
probable rainwater discharge that is likely to enter the system. Rainwater harvesting is basically
designed for storm runoff, therefore the assessment of peak rate of flow, i.e. discharge, is very
important.
The peak rate of run-off that is produced from particular catchments depends on numerous
factors such as return period, intensity and duration of rainfall, permeability of catchments
surface area, shape and size of catchments area, length of drainage system, and climatic
conditions. The precise assessment of peak runoff is not possible because of the involvement of
so many variables. Therefore, the runoff cannot be exactly determined by a mathematical
equation. Many empirical formulas are commonly used for prediction of duration of rainfall,
corresponding intensity and runoff.
It can be simply observed that higher is the duration less would be the intensity of the rainfall.
The duration of drizzling is always longer as compare to downpour. Higher the return period,
i e. recurrence interval more would be the intensity of rainfall of same duration.
T=
1
P
.............(1)
Where
T = Return period
P = recurrence Interval
Return period represents the average interval
between the occurrence of rainfall magnitude of
equal to or greater than specified magnitude.
The unit of return period is a year If return
period of particular rainfall x intensity is 5 year
at particular point then it implies that on an
average the rainfall intensity of equal to x or
greater than x would occur once in five years
and its probability to occur in a year is (1/5) i.e.
0.2. As the return period increases, the intensity
of rainfall of particular duration will increase.
Usually high value of return period, say five
years, is considered for a sensitive area,
hospitals, important offices, high value
residential area. For low value residential Fig 16: Rainfall intensity and duration curves
area this value can be taken as one year.
25
Rainfall Intensity
Intensity can be defined as the rate of rainfall per unit time. It gives an analytical idea of
how fast and slow rain is falling. Drizzling is a low intensity rainfall and downpour is
very high intensity rainfall. Unit of rainfall intensity is cm/hour. The intensity of rainfall
changes continuously throughout the storm (rainfall) period. The rainfall intensity is
average value over the period of time. If it rains 40 mm in a particular one hour giving
an average rainfall rate as 40 mm/hour However during that particular hour at some time
the rainfall intensity will exceed 40 mm/hour while at other time it will be much less
than 40 mm/hour. This value is directly used in the design of drainage system and
recharge storage pit.
Time of Concentration
It is a fundamental hydrology parameter and used to compute the peak discharge for catchments.
The peak discharge is a function of the rainfall intensity of particular return period and duration.
Time of concentration is the longest time required for the a water to travel in catchments and
reach to outlet point (in our case, roof top and length of drain to recharge pit). The mathematical
equation used for calculation of time of concentration requires inputs for the longest
watercourse length in the watershed (catchments area (L), the average slope of that watercourse
(S). The average value of slope will be different for different surfaces e.g. Roof, road, lawn,
drain etc. Usually L and S can be obtained from architectural drawing of the building and if
drawings are not available then by assessment.
The Tc is generally defined as the time required for a drop of water to travel from the most
hydro- logically remote point in the sub-catchments to the point of collection
A time of concentration value is essential to determine critical intensity of rainfall because
maximum discharge will occur for rainfall intensity of duration equal to the time of
concentration. Time of concentration can be calculated by using following formula
.............(2)
where:
Tc = Time of concentration in minutes
L = overland flow length in m
S = average slope of the overland area.
This equation has been adopted from Kirpich 1940 (Soil and water conservation Engineering by
Glenn O. Schwab John Wiley). If the slope of overland flow surface is different for different
portion of overland flow then we can use the following formula
n
TC = 0.0195 Li
0.77
Si
0.385
.............(3)
i =1
where:
Tc = Time of concentration in minutes
26
i = Function. T , , M
Tc
.............(4)
where:
i = rainfall intensity in cm/hour
Tc = the time of concentration in minutes
T = return period
M = Metrological parameters
It is almost impossible to predict the rainfall intensity for a particular duration and return period
in general by a single mathematical equation. Use of empirical equation at meso scale (region
wise) gives more accurate and probable results since they are developed on the basis of more
than last 100 years of metrological data
i=
KT x
(D + a )n
.............(5)
where
i = rainfall intensity (cm/hour)
D = Duration of rainfall (hour)
T = Return period years
K, x, a and n are constants for given catchments (region) and depend on the local metrological
data. Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun has given
values of these constant , which are region specific.
Table 1: Regional, Values of Imperical Constants
Region
Annual
Rainfall
(mm)
Bhopal
Nagpur
Chandigarh
Delhi
Bellary
Raipur
6.93
11.45
5.82
5.82
6.16
4.68
0.189
0.156
0.16
0.16
0.694
0.136
0.5
1.25
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.15
0.878
1.032
0.75
0.75
0.972
0.928
785
802
617
617
415
515
27
Ground Cover
Forest
0.05 0.25
0.15
Lawn
0.05 0.35
0.20
Cemeteries
0.1 0.25
0.25
Cultivated land
0.08-0.41
0.25
Unimproved
area
0.1 0.3
Meadow
0.1 0.5
0.3
Pasture
0.12 0.62
0.35
Residential area
0.3 0.75
0.55
Industrial area
0.5 0.9
0.7
Brick street
0.7 0.85
0.75
Business area
0.5 0.95
0.75
Asphalt street
0.7 0.95
0.8
Concrete street
0.7 0.95
0.85
Roof
0.75 0.95
0.9
0.25
There are various empirical formulae for the calculation of storm water runoff. Most of these
formulae such as Burkling-Ziegler formula, Dickens formula, Ryves formula, Inglis formula
and nawab Jung Bahadur formula are much suited for larger catchments of their native locations
Rational formula gives quite reliable results for smaller catchments area. It can be used only up
to catchments area of 400 hectares. For assessment of runoff in rainwater harvesting design,
rational formula is universally used. Mathematically it can be defined as
Q = A*i * K
.............(6)
where
Q= Rate of runoff
A= Catchments area contributing runoff
I = Rainfall intensity
K = Coefficient of runoff
28
V = A* P * K
.............(7)
where
V= Volume of rain water harvested
A= Catchments area contributing runoff
P = average annual rainfall
K = Coefficient of runoff
The minimum distance between a pumping well and recharge tube well.
There are no criteria as such about the minimum distance between pumping well and recharge
well. Recharging wells are generally of shallow depths which means that they are in the
fluctuation zone of water levels.
Highly turbid and silt mixed water shall not be allowed to enter into the recharge structures. A
grit catch basin should be provided immediately before the recharge structure to avoid highly
turbid water entering into it. A, low height usually of 2 3 inches baffle walls may be
constructed as silt traps which remove the silt from the storm water. Periodic cleaning of storm
water drains shall be carried out to remove the plastic bags, leaves etc which chokes the
entrance of recharge structures.
Recharge rate of tube wells.
The recharge rate of a recharge tube well is a factor of transmissivity of aquifer system which in
turn depends upon geo-morphological characteristic of an aquifer. Another factor which also
plays important role is the depth to water levels in an area. Thus the recharge rate varies from
place to place. Usually this value is neglected in design calculation.
Design for filters
Three types of filters are available to be used in recharge structures.
Gravity filters
These are the most widely used filters. In these filters, three layers consisting of coarse sand
/fine gravel of 2-4 mm size, gravel of 5 10 mm size and boulders of 5-20 cm size are placed
one above the other. Coarse sand /pea gravel shall be placed at the top so that the silt content
that will come with runoff will be deposited on the top of the coarse sand/ pea gravel and can
easily be removed. For smaller roof area, pit may be filled with broken bricks /cobbles. These
filter beds require minimum maintenance, except periodic scrapping of fine clay and silt
deposited on the filter bed. Silt deposited on the filter media should be cleaned regularly by
removing the top deposited silt. Once in a year the top 5-10 cm sand /pea gravel layer should
also be scrapped to maintain the constant recharge rate through filter material. Thickness of
these layers varies from 0.3 to 0.50 m depending up on the silt load of the storm water.
29
Return period the values can be taken from 0.5 year to 5 year depending on significance
Concentration time is the main criteria for selecting the duration of rainstorm for the design
of rain water harvesting system. 15 minute is minimum value of rainfall duration for
design purpose.If the concentration time is greater than 15 minutes then it is considered as
duration of rainfall for design purpose.
Detail of catchments area (Architecture layout plan with detain of existing drainage system)
The decision whether to store or recharge water depends on the rainfall pattern of a particular
region. In a region where rainfalls through out the year, barring a few dry periods, a small
domestic sized water tank for storing rainwater can be used. The storage tank capacity for the
area should be in no case greater than its annual average rainwater harvesting potential in other
regions where total annual rainfall occurs only during three to four months of monsoon, the
water collected during monsoon has to be stored throughout the year which means that the huge
volumes of storage container are required. So it is feasible to use rain water to recharge ground
water aquifers rather than for storage.
The main objective of the developed software is to make the complicated meteorological and
engineering calculation simple and fast. The program has very few inputs such as physical
parameter of the building, return period and meteorological region and population. Based on
these input programme it self calculate the design meteorological parameter such as
1.
2.
3.
4.
30
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
The software will be a very useful tool for popularizing the optimum design and estimation of
cost of water harvesting recharge structure. Following are working windows of the Excel Sheet
Program.
Help Sheet
31
Designed Sheet
32
6.1
Physical Parameters
Name of Building:
Learnium School
Climatological Location
Delhi Region
Type of Building
Single unit
Type of Surface
Roof (Flat)
Surface Area
24.3m
Slope of roof
0.002
5.6 m
Slope of drain
Coefficient of Runn-off
0.01
0.9
Metrological Data
Return period
2 Years
Annual Rainfall
617 mm
Delhi
5.82
0.16
0.4
0.75
TC = 0.0195 Li
0.77
Si
0.385
i =1
In this case
n
L1
24.3
L2
5.6
S1
0.002
S2
0.01
33
i=
KT x
(D + a )n
In this case
K
5.82
0.16
0.4
0.75
V = A* P * K
In this case
A
277.86 m2
617 mm
0.9
Q = A*i * K
In this case
A
277.86 m2
67.37 mm/hour
0.9
16847 lit/hour
(14.601 m3/hour)
TC
15.0 minutes
(0.25 hour)
34
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
The University is divided into three zones I, II and III. Each zone is further divided into different blocks
such as A, B, C depending on location and vicinity of the buildings to the purpose rainwater recharge
wells. The detail of these zones including roof area, type of surface, length of flow of water on roof and
length of rain are given in the following tables.
Zone-I
S.NO
NAME OF BUILDING
Block A-I
1 Faculty of Engg
2 Faculty of Humanaties & languages
3 S.R.K. Hostel
4 Examination Building
5 Center for Management
6 Faculty of B. Arch
Block B -I
1 Auditorium
2 Mass Communication
TOTAL
Length of Length of
AREA (M2) Type of Surface
Flow
Drain
2500
379
500
560
450
708
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
79
44
56
29
24
44
98
124
75
38
18
34
226
444
Roof
Roof
32
87
88
94
35
3 Administration Building
4 New Administrartion Building
5 Guest House
411
1200
356
Roof
Roof
Roof
35
38
42
109
87
76
Zone-II
S.NO
NAME OF BUILDING
Block A-II
1 T.T. College
2 Law Faculty
3 T.T.C (Extn)
4 Mujeeb Bagh Qtrs.
Block B-II
1 Jamia Enclave
2 Lecturers Qtrs.
3 Working girls Hostel
4 New Girls Hostel
Block C-II
1 J.S. Qtrs.
2 C-29 Hostel
3 J.S. Qtrs.
4 J.S. Qtrs.
5 J.S. Qtrs.
TOTAL
Length of Length of
AREA (M2) Type of Surface
Flow
Drain
880.05
285
276
525
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
87
23
35
24
49
185
68
196
601
117
643
458
Roof
Roof
Roof
18
17
53
41
86
94
42
86
296
125
283
472
540
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
23
15
34
68
76
125
106
86
76
94
Zone-III
S.NO
NAME OF BUILDING
Block A-III
1 Gymnasium
2 Canteen
3 Social Science block
4 Student union office
5 Maths Deptt. Building
6 Science faculty Building
7 New Commerce Building
8 N.C.C.Qtrs. P.O. Teacher office etc.
Block B-III
1 Work shop Building
2 Extn. Part +Lab
3 Polytechnic
Block C-III
1 Science block
2 Central Library
3 Islamic study Centre
4 Mosque
Block D-III
1 Class rooms of Middle School
2 Canteen + others
3 School Hostel
4 School Building
5 Lab
6 New Building near museum
Block E-III
TOTAL
Length of Length of
Flow
Drain
AREA (M2) Type of Surface
580
191
275
123
425
379
1500
323
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
13
12
36
16
23
36
78
16
81
42
68
63
46
76
123
36
449
730
300
Roof
Roof
Roof
13
11
29
49
56
35
425
766
165
520
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
46
68
9
47
78
54
23
89
560
160
836
425
250
219
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
56
10
78
62
35
33
135
132
112
93
62
146
36
220
102
567
352
760
Roof
Roof
Roof
Roof
76
23
68
21
56
136
28
76
156
45
450
780
540
Roof
Roof
Roof
16
62
45
189
24
145
Note: Ground water contaminate has high probability if runoff water from unclean and
contaminated surfaces such as road, parking area, playing fields are directly injected to water
table. For runoff water from such surfaces can be stored in open funds and allow to infiltrate
through natural process not by infiltration well. Therefore for this case study only roof top
surface is considered.
7.0
CONCLUSION
The exponential growth of population in urban area and increase in per capita water
demand has put severe stresses in fresh water resources of the world. It is more
prominent and critical in semi acid region.
Water conservation, water reuse, and harvesting of water are very important and
essential for sustainable development. Each drop of fresh water save and use properly
will go a long way in quenching the thirst and desire of human civilization. The GOD
has provided us sufficient bounty in form of water to meet the requirement of each of
us.
Rain water harvesting is one of the oldest and commonly used technology in India. Rainwater
harvesting appears to be one of the most promising alternative for supply of fresh water
in the face of increasing water scarcity and escalating demands water harvesting also
present an opportunity for the augmentation of water supplies using this technology.
There are many advantages of rainwater harvesting schemes that make it an attractive
option for highly urbanized cities such as Delhi. With the implementation and
popularization of the rainwater schemes in semi arid regions, following benefits are
likely to accrue.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The main object of this project was to develop an user friendly excel sheet for design
and cost estimate of rainwater harvesting system for individual houses an institution
level. The major object has been successfully achieved and demonstrated in two case
studies at micro and meso level.
37
Summary of Design Calculation Using Excel Sheet for Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University) Case Study
TOTAL
AREA
(M2)
Annual
Rainwater
Harvesting
Potential (L)
Critcal
Discharge
in (L/hour)
Critcal
Rain
Water
Volume
(L)
5097
2037
2830364
1464326
309045
159888
66420
29984
7134
4294690
468933
96404
1966
1819
1716
1091748
1010091
952895
119207
110291
104046
27970
19368
19865
5501
3054734
333544
67203
3796
1479
1876
2450
2001
1770
2107919
821289
1041743
1360485
1111155
982881
230162
89676
113747
148550
121326
107320
43824
12427
19840
30335
24423
22321
Total
13372
7425472
810781
153170
229.75
11
1702691
7425472
25989152
G. Total
26007
14774896
1613258
316777
475.16
25
3517758
14774896
51712132
NAME OF BLOCK
Volume of
Recharge
Well (m3)
Zone-I
Block A-I
Block B -I
Total
99.63
44.98
Dimension of
Recharge Well
No of
Units
Diameter Depth
3
2.65
3
2.42
144.61
6
3
9
Cost of
Recharge
Well (INR)
731189
345999
1077187
Volume of
Potable
Cost of
Storage
Storage
Tank (L) Tank (INR)
2830364
1464326
4294690
9906274
5125141
15031415
Zone-II
Block A-II
Block B-II
Block C-II
Total
41.95
29.05
29.8
3.5
3.5
3.9
2.48
2.3
2.8
100.8
2
2
1
5
285350
271315
181214
737879
1091748
1010091
952895
3054734
3821116
3535317
3335132
10691565
Zone-III
Block A-III
Block B-III
Block C-III
Block D-III
Block E-III
Block F-III
65.74
18.64
29.76
45.5
36.63
33.48
3.9
3.5
3.9
3.5
3.5
3.5
2.8
2.3
2.8
2.66
2.3
2.3
3
1
1
2
2
2
543639
135658
181044
299721
271315
271315
2107919
821289
1041743
1360485
1111155
982881
7377716
2874510
3646100
4761698
3889044
3440084
38
8.0
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1.
Rain Water Harvesting - A New Water Sources by Jan Gerston: National Wild Flower
Research Centre.
2.
3.
Artificial Recharge in Delhi Area, Central Ground Water Board, Northern Water Region
Chandigarh.
4.
5.
Ground Water Recharging Peoples participants in Jamnagar Region, Prof. G.G. Parthasarthi and
A.S. Patel, Indian Water Works ASSOCIATES Jan 1997.
6.
Guide on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water by Central Ground Water Board Ministry of
Water Resourses.
7.
Guide on Artificial Recharge to Ground Water, Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of water
resourses,New Delhi 2000.
8.
Gupta O.P.Lal, J.J, and Gupta, V(2005) Need for Rain Water Harvesting to Mitigate Water
Crises of Delhi Journal of Indian Buildings Congress,Vol12, No.1
9.
10. Kesari, P, and Singh,S.K.(2005) Sustainable Development of Ground Water in Delhi through
Rain Water Harvaisting , Journal of Indian Buildings Congress Vol12,No.1
11. Mahi, S.P. and Prakash, O.(2005)Artificial Recharge to Grounder Water in Railway Residential
Complex in Delhi Journal of Indian Buildings Congress Vol.12, No.1
12. Manual on Rain Water Harvasting and Conservation: CSO, CPWD,Govt of India
Publication,New Delhi
13. Master Plan of Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University)
14. Pal, S, and Sharma,S.K.(2005) Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Journal of
Indian Buildings Congress, Vol.12 No.1
15. Rain Water Harvesting and Conservation Manual, Government of India, C.P.W.D. Nirman
Bhawan, New Delhi (2002)
16. Rain Water Harvesting Mannual for Urban Areas, Center for Science and Envirmental,
Tughlakabad Institutional AREA, New Delhi.
17. Rain Water Harvesting System : Report; CGWB, Ministry of Water Resourses, Govt. of India,
New Delhi
18. Ralegoankar, R.v., Gupta,R,Singh,D(2005) Economic Modlling for Rainwater Harvasting
Scheme Journal of Indian Building Congress Vol.,12 No.1
19. Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting for Augmentation Ground Water Storage in NCT Delhi
Central Ground Water Board Ministry of Water Resourses.
20. Singh,S.(2005) Water Management in Cantonments Journal of Indian Buildings Congress,
Vol.12 No.1
21. Soil and water conservation by Glenn D. Schwali Delmar D. Fangmeir, William J. Elliot by John
Wiley & Son Inc.
22. http://www.cgwaindia.com
23. http://www.csestore.cse.org.in
24. http://www.gdrc.org.
25. http://www.hinduonnet.com
26. http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org
39