1.

PROJECT ON RAIN WATER HARVESTING

2. WHATIS RAINWATER HARVESTING The harvesting of rain water

simply involves the collection of water from surfaces on which rain falls,
and subsequently storing this water for later use. Normally water is collected
from the roofs of buildings and stored in rainwater tanks. It is the
accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse on site. The harvested
water can also be used as drinking water, long term storage and for other
purposes such as ground water recharge.

3. ADVANTAGES The technology is simple and easy to install. Local

people can be easily trained to implement such technology and construction
material is easily available. It has low maintenance cost and running cost.
Water collected from roof catchments usually is of acceptable quality for
domestic purpose. Rain water can be a continuous source of water supply
for both the rural and the poor. Depending upon the conditions both water
collection capacity and storage capacity can be increased as needed within
the available catchment area.

4. DISADVANTAGES Disadvantages are mainly due to the limited

supply and uncertainty of rainfall. SUITABILITY The augmentation of
municipal water supplies with harvested rainwater is suited to both urban
and rural areas. The construction of cement jars or provision of gutters does
not require very high skilled manpower.

5. SYSTEM OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING Commonly used system s

are constructed of three principal components. They are:-  Catchment
areas:- This include roof catchment where rainwater is collected in simple
vessels at the edge of the roof and land surface catchment which involves
improving runoff capacity of land surface through various techniques
including collection of runoff with drain pipes and storage of collected
water.  Collection Devices:- Storage tanks for collecting rainwater
harvested using guttering may be either above or below the ground.
Precautions required in the use of storage tanks include provision of an
adequate enclosure to minimize contamination from human, animal or other
environmental contaminants.  Conveyance system:- It is required to
transfer the rainwater collected on the roof tops to the storage tanks. This is
usually accomplished by making connections to one or more down pipes
connected to the rooftop gutter. Consideration should be given to the fact
that when it first rains dirt and debries from the rooftop and gutters will be
washed into the down pipe. Thus, the relatively clean water will only be
available some time later in the storm.
6. METHODS OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING  Surface runoff
harvesting:- In urban area rainwater flows away as surface runoff. This
runoff could be caught and used for recharging aquifers by adopting
appropriate methods.  Roof top rain water harvesting:- in this system the
rain water is collected from the roofs and it can either be stored in a tank or
can be diverted to artificial recharge system. This is less expensive and very
effective and if implemented properly helps in augmenting the ground water
level of the area. This system mainly constitutes of following sub
components:- i) Catchment ii) Transportation iii) First flush iv) Filter

7. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

8. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

9. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

10. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

11. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

12. Diagrams of rain water harvesting

13. IMPORTANCE OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING 1) The gathered

rain water can be used for agricultural purposes. The environment may be
helped to get rid of the tendency to drought. 2) The requirement of water for
feeding the live stock can be met. 3) The ever increasing demand for water
can be satisfied. 4) The quantity of the subterranean water can be increased.
5) Wastage of water flowing through drain, gutter, or any water – course of
any type may be stopped. 6) Water-logging on roads and thoroughfares can
be checked and localities can be saved from being inundated. 7) The
quantity of water can be raised and soil erosion can be checked.

14. SUGGESTIONS For a small town such as Mangaldai we should try to

harvest rain water from roof tops as it is less costly. We should try it first
in:- i. Government buildings ii. Offices iii. Courts iv. Government
bungalows v. Public buildings vi. Public toilets We than check the
effectiveness and efficiency of this system and proceed further for every
household in town and try harvesting the surface runoff also. This will
further reduce the water logging problem of our town and also would solve
the problem of water supply in the town and nearby areas.