Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A PROJECT REPORT ON
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Submitted by
ADITYA 1CR19CV004
B MADHAN 1CR19CV005
KEERTHI C 1CR19CV018
V AKSHAY 1CR19CV049
Under the guidance of
Prof. AKSHITHA CA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Department of Civil Engineering
CMRIT, Bengaluru
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the dissertation work “DESIGN OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
SYSTEM FOR A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING” carried out by ADITYA (1CR18CV004),
B MADHAN (1CR19CV005), KEERTHI C (1CR19CV018), V AKSHAY (1CR19CV049) are
bonafide students of CMRIT in partial fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in
Civil Engineering of the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi, during the academic
year 2022-23. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal assessment have
been incorporated in the report deposited in the departmental library. The project report has been
approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of Project work prescribed for the
said degree.
Signature of Guide Signature of HOD Signature of Principal
External Viva
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
4.4 FILTER 21
5.2 CALCULATIONS 26
5.5 MAINTENANCE 49
6 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 56
7 REFERENCES 57
ABSTRACT
At the rate in which Indian population is expanding, it is said that India will supplant China from
its number one position of most thickly populated nation of the work after 20-30. These will prompt
high rate of utilization of most profitable regular asset.
Water's subsequent in enlargement of weights on the allowed freshwater assets. Old technique for
damming waterway and transporting water to urban zone has its own issues of everlasting
inconveniences of social and political. Keeping in mind the end goal to save and take care of our
day-by-day demand of water prerequisite, we must think for elective savvy and generally less
demanding mechanical techniques for monitoring water Rainwater harvesting is a technique
satisfying those necessities
This project mainly deals with different methods of rainwater harvesting and different components
of traditional methods that were adopted by ancestors. Preventive measures advantages, and
disadvantages of rainwater harvesting are also being included in this project. And a case study is
being included for a better understanding of rainwater harvesting.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The satisfaction and euphoria that accompany the successful completion of any task would be
incomplete without the mention of people, who are responsible for the completion of the project
and who made it possible, because success is outcome of hard work and perseverance, but steady
fast of all is encouraging guidance. So, with gratitude we acknowledge all those whose guidance
and encouragement served us to motivate towards the success of the project work.
We take great pleasure in expressing our sincere thanks to Dr. Sanjay Jain, Principal, CMR
Institute of Technology, Bengaluru for providing an excellent academic environment in the college
and for his continuous motivation towards a dynamic career.
We would like to convey our sincere gratitude to Prof Preethi Jocob, Head of Civil Engineering
Department, CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru for her invaluable guidance and
encouragement and for providing good facilities to carry out this project work.
We would like to express our deep sense of gratitude to Prof Akshitha CA, Assistant Professor,
Civil Engineering, CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru for her exemplary guidance, valuable
suggestions, expert advice and encouragement to pursue this project work.
We are thankful to all the faculties and laboratory staffs of Civil Engineering Department, CMR
Institute of Technology, Bengaluru for helping us in all possible manners during the entire period.
Finally, we acknowledge the people who mean a lot to us, our parents, for their inspiration,
unconditional love, support, and faith for carrying out this work to the finishing line. We want to
give special thanks to all our friends who went through hard times together, cheered us on, helped
us a lot, and celebrated each accomplishment.
Lastly, to the Almighty, for showering His Blessings and to many more, whom we did not mention
here.
DESIGN OF RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR A RESIDENTIAL
BUILDING 2022-23
CHAPTER 01
INTRODUCTION
Rain water harvesting is the technique of collection and storage of rain water at surface or in sub-
surface aquifers, before it is lost as surface runoff. The augmented resource can be harvested in the
time of need. Artificial recharge to ground water is a process by which the ground water reservoir
is augmented at rate exceeding that under natural conditions of replenishment. Water harvesting
means to understand the value of rain and to make optimum use of rain water at the place where it
falls. In general, water harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rain water.
The rain water collected can be stored for direct use or can be recharged into the ground water.
Water conservation is critical because it is one of the most significant factors for all species'
survival. According to the Central Ground Water Board's estimates, underground water will be
scarce in 15 Indian states by 2025.However, as per the report from Ministry of Environment and
Forest, only 10 to 20% rainwater is harvested. In urban areas, it is seen that nowadays concrete
structures are constructed everywhere, so it is not possible to recharge the water table by natural
process of raining. The rainwater being the source of fresh water gets wasted as it goes to the drains
and it is becoming one of the major problems of the present and will results in even more critical
consequences in the future. Therefore, a rainwater harvesting system is required in Indian
household to conserve water. Population growth all over the world is causing similar problems
concerns of how to supply quality water to all.
Rain water harvesting is receiving increased attention worldwide as an alternative source of water.
The present study has been undertaken to assess the potential of roof top rain water harvesting
technique in the sustainable development of water resources of South Delhi region, by analysing
the facts and figures related to the per capita per day demand. The study further aims to bring an
insight of roof top rain water harvesting that can effectively be employed by every individual
without much technicalities. Comprehensive field surveys were carried out to collect relevant data
that were analysed in context to the actual average annual water consumption of each household
and the volume of rain water collected annually from an individual respective roof top. Per capita
demand of each individual was evaluated which revealed that per capita demand in some of the
selected households exceeded the maximum limit of 250 lts/day per person (i.e., up to 375 lts/day
per person) as recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The roof top rain water
Extreme climate events such as aridity, drought, flood, cyclone, and stormy rainfall are expected to
leave an impact on human society. They are also expected to generate widespread response to adapt
and mitigate the sufferings associated with these extremes. Societal and cultural responses to
prolonged drought include population dislocation, cultural sepa-ration, habitation abandonment,
and societal collapse.
A typical response to local aridity is the human migration to safer and productive areas. However,
climate and culture can interact in numerous ways. We hypothesize that people may resort to modify
dwelling environments by adapting new strategies to optimize the utility of available water by
harvesting rain rather than migrating to newer areas. We find correlation between heightened
historical human efforts for construction of rainwater harvesting structures across regions in
response to abrupt climate fluctuations, like aridity and drought. Historical societal adaptations to
climate fluctuations may provide insights on potential responses of modern societies to future
climate change that has a bearing on water resources, food production and management of natural
systems.
METHODOLOGY
Site details
Study Area
Determination of Rainwater
discharge
Analysis of runoff
co-efficient
Calculation of diameter of
rainwater harvesting pipe
➢ To enhance availability of ground water at specific place and time and utilize rain water
➢ To increase infiltration of rain water in the subsoil which has decreased drastically in
➢ Cost of recharge to sub-surface reservoir is lower than surface reservoirs. Urban Water
Security Planning Toolkit
➢ Individual homes
➢ Colonies
➢ Apartments
➢ Institutions
➢ Schools/colleges/universities
➢ Clubs
➢ Hospitals
➢ Industries
➢ Slums
Intermittent – in situations with one long rainy season when all water demands are met by rainwater.
During the dry season, water is collected from other sources.
Occasional – water is stored for only a few days in a small container. This is suitable when there is
a uniform rainfall pattern with very few days without rain and when a reliable alternative water
source is available.
Partial – rainwater is used throughout the year but the ‘harvest’ is not sufficient for all domestic
demands. For example, rainwater is used for drinking and cooking, while for other domestic uses
(e.g., bathing and laundry) water from other sources is used.
Full – for the whole year, all water for all domestic purposes comes from rainwater. In such cases,
there is usually no alternative water source other than rainwater, and the available water should be
well managed, with enough storage to bridge the dry period.
3.2.1 Sustainability
Rainwater harvesting is one of the most promising alternatives for supplying water in the face of
increasing water scarcity and escalating demand. The pressure on water supplies, increased
environmental impact from large projects and deteriorating water quality, constrain the ability to
meet the demand for freshwater from traditional sources. Rainwater harvesting presents an
opportunity for the augmentation of water supplies allowing t the same time for self-reliance and
sustainability.
Valid data on the economic efficiency of rainwater harvesting systems is not possible. Dependent
on the regional conditions (water and wastewater prices, available subsidies), the amortization
period may vary between 10 and 20 years. However, it should be taken into consideration that for
the major investment (storage and pipe work) a period of use of several decades is expected.
The associated costs of a rainwater harvesting system are for installation, operation and
maintenance. Of the costs for installation, the storage tank represents the largest investment which
can vary between 30 and 45% of the total cost of the system dependent on system size. A pump, a
pressure controller, and fittings in addition to plumber’s labour represent other major costs of the
investment.
Rainwater harvesting can be categorized in several different ways, the most important of which are
according to the type of catchment used and second based on type of collection system. Broadly
there are two methods of rainwater harvesting system based on type of catchment:
3.3.1 Roof top rainwater harvesting: It is a system of catching rainwater where it falls. In rooftop
harvesting, the roof becomes the catchments, and the rainwater is collected from the roof of the
house/building.
3.3.2 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. For each type of catchment system different type of collection systems can be adopted.
Rainwater harvesting system based on type of collection systems are:
(i) Storage: Harvested rain water can be stored in tanks or lakes and can be used for direct
Consumption.
(ii) Storage and groundwater recharge: In this method rainwater is first stored in tanks or other
system and surplus water is conveyed to recharge groundwater. Recharged groundwater can be used
for consumption at later stage with handpump or tube wells.
The hydrological cycle, also known as the water cycle, refers to the continuous movement of water
on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It is driven by solar energy and the Earth's gravitational
pull. The hydrological cycle involves several processes through which water circulates, changes its
state, and distributes itself across the planet. These processes include evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and transpiration. Let's briefly discuss each of these processes:
Evaporation: This is the process by which water changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state,
primarily from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, rivers, and soil) due to solar heating. Water vapor
rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation: As the water vapor rises and cools in the atmosphere, it begins to condense into tiny
water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds. This occurs when the air becomes saturated with
water vapor, leading to the visible formation of clouds.
Precipitation: Precipitation occurs when condensed water droplets or ice crystals in the clouds
become large enough to fall back to the Earth's surface due to gravity. Precipitation can take various
forms, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Infiltration: When precipitation reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed into the ground
through a process called infiltration. This water seeps into the soil and fills up the spaces between
particles, eventually reaching the groundwater.
Runoff: Not all water is absorbed by the soil. Some of it flows over the surface as runoff, usually
following the natural topography, forming streams, rivers, and eventually reaching lakes, oceans, or
other bodies of water. Runoff plays a crucial role in the water cycle by replenishing surface water
sources.
Transpiration: Transpiration is the process by which plants absorb water from the soil through
their roots and release it into the atmosphere as vapor through small openings called stomata in their
leaves. It is essentially the plant equivalent of evaporation. It plays a vital role in regulating climate,
weather patterns, and sustaining life on our planet.
a) Roof top rainwater harvesting is one of the appropriate options for augmenting ground water
recharge/ storage in urban areas where natural recharge is considerably reduced due to increased
urban activities.
b) Rainwater runoff which otherwise flows through sewers and storm drains and is wasted, can be
harvested, and utilized.
d) It helps in reducing the frequent drainage congestion and flooding during heavy rains in urban
areas where availability of open surfaces is limited and surface runoff is quite high.
g) The structures required for harvesting rainwater are simple, economical, and eco-friendly.
h) Roof catchments are relatively cleaner and free from contamination compared to the ground
level catchments.
i) Losses from roof catchments are much less when compared to other catchments.
Collection of rainwater from roof tops for domestic needs is popular in some parts of India. The
simplest method of roof top rainwater harvesting is the collection of rainwater in a large pot/vessel
kept beneath the edge of the roof. The water thus collected can meet the immediate domestic needs.
Tanks made of iron sheets, cement or bricks can also be used for storing water. In this method, water
is collected from roofs using drain pipes/gutters fixed to roof edge. Though the practice of roof top
rainwater harvesting is an age-old one, systematic collection and storage of water to meet the
drinking water needs has become popular only recently. The popularity of this practice is limited by
the costs involved in collection of water by gutters/pipes and its storage in underground tanks made
of iron or brick. Use of Ferro cement technology in construction and maintenance of storage tanks
has become popular in recent years as the strength and durability of ferro- cement structures have
been found to make the schemes cost-effective.
Rainwater harvesting practices vary widely in size, type of construction material used and methods
of collection and storage. Easy availability of know-how on systematic and economic methods of
construction will encourage the user households to adopt this practice. There is also a need for
creating awareness and for development of simple techniques of construction/fabrication of the
components of rainwater harvesting system for popularising this technique as a potential alternative
source of drinking water, at least for part of the year.
• The material of the catchment surfaces must be non-toxic and not contain substances which impair
water quality.
• Roof surfaces should be smooth, hard, and dense since they are easy to clean and are less likely
to be damaged and shed materials into water
• Precautions are required to prevent the entry of contaminants into the storage tanks. - No
overhanging tree should be left near the roof - The nesting of the birds on the roof should be
prevented - A first flush bypass such as detachable downpipe should be installed
• All gutter ends should be fitted with a wire mesh screen to keep out leaves, etc.
• The storage tank should have a tight-fitting roof that excludes light, a manhole cover and a
flushing pipe at the base of the tank.
• Taps/faucets should be installed at 10 cm above the base of the tank as this allows any debris
entering the tank to settle on the bottom where it remains undisturbed, will not affect the quality of
water.
In a typical domestic roof top rainwater harvesting system, rainwater from the roof is collected in
a storage vessel or tank for use during periods of scarcity. Such systems are usually designed to
support the drinking and cooking needs of the family and comprise a roof, a storage tank and
guttering to transport the water from the roof to the storage tank. In addition, a first flush system to
divert the dirty water, which contains debris, collected on the roof during non-rainy periods and a
filter unit to remove debris and contaminants before water enters the storage tank are also provided.
Roof top Rainwater Harvesting System comprises following components:
4.3.1 Catchment Area: The catchment area refers to the surface on which rainwater falls and is
collected. It can include rooftops, paved surfaces, or open land. The catchment area should be clean
and suitable for collecting rainwater.
4.3.2 Gutters and Downspouts: Gutters are channels installed along the edges of rooftops to collect
rainwater and direct it towards downspouts. Downspouts are vertical pipes that carry the water
from the gutters to the storage or filtration system.
4.3.3 Leaf Screens or Filters: Leaf screens or filters are installed at the entry point of the
downspouts or collection pipes to prevent debris, leaves, and other large particles from entering the
system. They help maintain water quality and prevent clogging.
4.3.5 Filtration and Treatment Systems: Depending on the intended use of the harvested
rainwater, filtration and treatment systems may be required. These can include sediment filters,
carbon filters, UV sterilization, or other water treatment methods to remove impurities, bacteria,
and potential contaminants.
4.3.7 Overflow Mechanism: An overflow mechanism is necessary to handle excess rainwater when
the storage tanks reach their maximum capacity. It helps redirect the excess water to an appropriate
drainage system or a designated overflow area.
4.3.9 Monitoring and Measurement Devices: Optional components can include water level
indicators or sensors to monitor the water level in storage tanks, flow meters to measure water usage,
and rain gauges to monitor rainfall patterns.
1. Type of catchment
3. Quality of runoff
4. Purpose of storage
(i) Cloth filter: The simplest form of filter is a piece of fine cloth which is even now used in areas
like the north-east where they collect rainwater directly from the roof into storage tanks. It is also
known as saari filter in Gujarat where people use a piece of saari filter (attire worn by Indian women)
or dhoti filter (attire worn by Indian men).
(iii) Sand filters: Sand filters have commonly available sand as filter media. Sand filters are easy
and inexpensive to construct. These filters can be employed for treatment of water to effectively
remove turbidity (suspended particles like silt and clay), colour and microorganisms.
(v) Dewas filters: Most residents in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, have wells in their houses. Formerly,
all that those wells would do was extract groundwater. But then, the district administration of Dewas
initiated a groundwater recharge scheme. The rooftop water was collected and allowed to pass
through a filter system called the Dewas filter, designed by Mohan Rao, district collector of Dewas
and engineers of the rural engineering services. The water thus filtered is put into the service tube
well.
(vi) Desilting chambers: Very effective & essential for runoff from unpaved and paved areas or
from storm water drains carrying huge amount of silt, tree leaves and other debris (vii) Weave wire
filter: It is made up of stainless steel and of rigid PVC. It can filter out suspended solids coming
with runoff. This type of filter is incapable for filtering any bacteriological contaminants if presents.
The degree of filtration is 100- 200 microns and capacity ranges between 5000- 45000 litres / hour.
Therefore, it can be used in the systems where rainwater is harvested for 10 Urban Water Security
Planning Toolkit non potable purpose only.
(viii) Pop up filter: Mr Shiva Kumar of Bangalore developed this design. The filtration is the nylon
sieve (60 mm dia) inserted inside rainwater pipe to arrest coarse particles. The advantage with this
filter is that whenever the filter gets clogged, it comes out of the casing and easy to maintain.
The rainwater storage tank collects all the filtered rainwater and keeps it for future use. The storage
tank is made above the ground and on a platform. It can also be an underground sump. Generally,
Two basic types of storage system:
A variety of materials and different shapes of the vessels are available for the storage of rainwater.
The choice of the system will depend on several technical and economic considerations like, space
availability, materials and skill available, costs of buying a new tank or construction on site, ground
conditions, local traditions for water storage etc.
5.2 CALCULATION:
Therefore, the average rainfall intensity over the period of 12 years is approximately 3.1455
mm/day.
Q=C x i x A
Q=0.95x(i/1000) x242
Q=0.723 sq meters
Q=0.723x30x3
Q=65 m²
= 5x3 x270
=4050litre
runoff coefficient=0.7
Q= 0.00612m³/day
Q= 0.00612×30 x3
Q=0.550m³
Runoff calculation
C=0.9
A = 242m²
Q =C x i x A
Q = 0.683 m³/day
Q =0.683x 30 x 3
Q = 61.5m³
Q = 61.5m³
Q= 55.35m³
Which is economical.
5.2.4 Filter
• Pressure Filter:
=0.243m³//hr
Now,
Area = Discharge/Velocity
=0.723/10
Area=0.0723m2
Area = (π/4) x D2
0.072= (π/4) x D2
D = 0.30 m
Medium Details:
expansion =0.35 m
As the pipes used for collection of water should have proper size so that during the storm period,
they should carry the excess amount of water though them without causing any disturbance
(breaking of pipes, leakage) in the work.
Q =AxV
A = Q/V
Area = (π/4) x D2
0.723/0.6*(4/π) =D2
1.205*1.27=D2
1.530=D2
As per the design calculations the pipe diameter is very small and not available in market. As per
the CPHEEO manual the minimum pipe diameter should not be less than 150 mm. Hence, we are
proposing pipe size as 150 mm. Pump for lifting water from the tank to the filter is of 3HP, which
gives flow rate as 1 m³//hr.
5.3 RAINWATER HARVESTING AND PIPE LINE AUTO CAD DESIGN FOR
THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING:
Pipe Diameter: According to BIS guidelines (IS 1172:1993), the minimum pipe diameter for
rainwater collection from rooftops is 100 mm (4 inches). However, for larger residential buildings
or areas with heavy rainfall, a larger pipe diameter, such as 150 mm (6 inches), may be
recommended to handle higher flow rates.
Pipe Slope: The recommended minimum slope for rainwater pipes is 1:40. This means that for every
40 units of pipe length, there should be a 1 unit drop in elevation. For example, if the pipe length is
10 meters, the minimum drop in elevation should be 0.25 meters (or 250 mm).
Figure 21: Auto Cad Pipeline design for the Residential Building (ground floor)
Figure 22: Auto Cad Pipeline design for the Residential Building (first floor)
Figure 23: Auto Cad Pipeline design for the Residential Building (second floor)
Figure 24: Auto Cad Pipeline design for the Residential Building (Terrace)
To increase ground water recharge by percolation and decrease the flooding of storm water drains,
an infiltration trench could be built by the side of the drain all along the road, wherever possible.
• Material: 40-60 mm coarse gravel followed by 20 mm aggregates and 2 mm sand. Pits are
conveniently made at suitable low-level micro-watershed locations as collection centres of surface
runoff.
• A splash pad is provided on top of the sand layer to cut off the velocity of entry of water to the
pit.
• The number of such pits is based on the park area and the small rivulets dissecting the landscapes
into micro-watersheds.
5.3.2.1 Requirements
Surface runoff water should be trapped in ponds, tanks and lakes when available, so that it can be
used for maintenance during dry periods. This practice is like dry land technology of agricultural
belts. Low-lying areas and drainage channels are earmarked and convenient micro-watersheds are
prepared. Water harvesting is followed based on natural flow and surface accumulation of the runoff
water. Water follows the lowest contour gradient available for that area. These structures not only
provide water for the park, but also increase groundwater recharge. Providing a bore well in these
areas will enhance the availability of water in its vicinity. Rainwater run-off from open space and
paved areas can be stored in underground sumps by filtering through sand-bed filters and guiding
the filtered water through channels.
➢ BWSSB Amended Act by adding para 72-A vide Gazette notification 2009 making “RWH
mandatory” for all buildings.
➢ Regulations framed under the Act, - providing specifications and - amplifying on the
objectives of the RWH
➢ Specifications evolved were simple and easy to follow - Storage or recharge to be created
for - Roof area - 20 litres per square metre - Paved area -10 litres per square metre - Recharge
well to be a minimum depth of 3 metres
➢ Mass awareness program was taken up: Awareness among school children, TV Programs &
Radio Programs conducted, RWH system initiated on all Govt. and BWSSB Buildings
including Residences of CM and other dignitaries
➢ Training Programs were arranged: Training program conducted for Plumbers/Contractor
➢ Logistical Support & creation of Helpdesk
➢ Rainwater Harvesting Theme Park
➢ Impact: Citizens have recognized and understood the value of RWH systems for meeting
their needs; which will reduce dependency on BWSSB and conventional sources of water
and Residents have put in their monies to harvest rainwater, thus creating a sense of
ownership. It will also ensure that they would take care of their systems
➢ Uniqueness of BWSSB’s RWH: Technical specifications, simple regulations, Legislative
support, Theme Park, first of its kind, People involvement and Integrated, cohesive system,
easy to understand Residential Colony Case study: A residential colony in Bangalore of
about 4 square kilometres has managed to put in place a decentralized water management
system incorporating rainwater harvesting more by serendipity than by design. Two small
tanks Narasipura 1 and Narasipura 2 collect rainwater and act as percolation tanks to
recharge the aquifer. About 15 bore-wells then supply water to the colony of about 2000
houses. Sewage discharged from each house is collected and treated both physically and
The pipe is usually 6- or 8-inch PVC pipe which has a valve and clean out at the bottom, most of
these devices extend from the gutter to the ground where they are supported. The gutter down spout
and top of the pipe are fitted and sealed So that water will not flow out of the top. Once the pipe has
filled, the rest of the water flows to the down spout connected to storage tank. The alternates scheme
for loping roofing valves very simple device which is required to be operated manually. In down
take pipe at the bottom one plug/valve is provided. When the rainy season start, this plug should be
removed, and initial collection of roof top water should be allowed to drain. After15–20 minutes,
plug/valve should be closed so that collected rain water can be diverted to storage tank.
Some maintenance measures like cleaning and disinfection are required to ensure the quality of
water stored in the container. Design of storage tanks: The volume of the storage tank can be
determined by the following factors:
1. Number of persons in the household: The greater the number of persons, the greater the storage
capacity required to achieve the same efficiency of fewer people under the same roof area.
2. Per capita water requirement: This varies from household to household based on habits and
from season to season. Consumption rate has an impact on the storage systems design as well as the
duration to which stored rainwater can last.
3. Period of water scarcity: Apart from the total rainfall, the pattern of rainfall -whether evenly
distributed through the year or concentrated in certain periods will determine the storage
requirement. The more distributed the pattern, the lesser the size.
4. Type and size of the catchment: Type of roofing material determines the selection of the runoff
coefficient for designs. Size could be assessed by measuring the area covered by the catchment i.e.,
the length and horizontal width. Larger the catchment, larger the size of the required cistern (tank).
Dry season demand versus supply approach in this approach there are three options for determining
the volume of storage:
2. Matching the capacity of the tank to the quantity of water required by its users
3. Choosing a tank size that is appropriate in terms of costs, resources, and construction methods
in practice the costs, resources and the construction methods tend to limit the tanks to smaller
capacities than would otherwise be justified by roof areas or likely needs of consumers. For this
reason, elaborate calculations aimed at matching tank capacity to roof area is usually unnecessary.
However, a simplified calculation based on the following factors can give a rough idea of the
potential for rainwater collection.
Rainwater may be charged into the groundwater aquifers for withdrawal later. Various recharge
structures are possible - some which permit the percolation of water through soil strata at shallower
depth (e.g., recharge trenches, recharge pits and permeable pavements) whereas others conduct
water to greater depths from where it joins the groundwater (e.g., recharge wells: dug wells and
bore wells). At many locations, existing structures like wells, pits and tanks can be modified as
recharge structures. Here are a few commonly used recharging methods:
Recharge pits: A recharge pit is 1.5m to 3m wide and 2m to 3m deep. The excavated pit is lined
with a brick/stone wall with openings (weep-holes) at regular intervals. The top area of the pit can
be covered with a perforated cover.
Recharge Trenches: A recharge trench is a continuous trench excavated in the ground and refilled
with porous media like pebbles, boulders or broken. bricks. A recharge trench can be 0.5 m to 1m
wide and 1 m to 1.5 m deep. The length of the recharge trench is decided as per the quantity of
runoff expected. The recharge trench should be periodically cleaned of accumulated debris to
maintain the intake capacity.
Recharging of dug wells and abandoned tube wells: Rainwater that is collected on the catchment
is diverted by drain pipes to a settlement or filtration tank, from which it flows into the recharge
well (borewell or dug well). If a tube well is used for recharging, then the casing (outer pipe) should
preferably be a slotted or perforated pipe so that more surface area is available for the water to
percolate. Developing a borewell would increase its recharging capacity (developing is the process
where water or air is forced into the well under pressure to loosen the soil strata surrounding the
bore to make it more permeable). If a dug well is used for recharge, the well lining should have
openings (weep-holes) at regular intervals to allow seepage of water through the sides.
Recharging through tube wells: In this case the catchment runoff is not directly led into the service
tube wells, to avoid chances of contamination of groundwater. Instead, rainwater is collected in a
recharge well, which is a temporary storage tank (located near the service tube well), with a
borehole, which is shallower than the water table. This borehole must be provided with a casing
pipe to prevent the caving in soil, if the stratum is loose. A filter chamber comprising of sand, gravel
and boulders is provided to arrest the impurities.
Modified injection well: In this method water is not pumped into the aquifer but allowed to percolate
through a filter bed, which comprises sand and gravel. A modified injection well is generally a
borehole, 500 mm diameter, which is drilled to the desired depth depending upon the geological
conditions, preferably 2 to 3 m below the water table in the area. Inside this hole a slotted casing
pipe of 200 mm diameter is inserted. The annular space between the borehole and the pipe is filled
with gravel and developed with a compressor till it gives clear water. To stop the suspended solids
from entering the recharge tube well, a filter mechanism is provided at the top.
In this method, an abandoned hand pump is used as recharging structure. It is suitable for building
having roof top area upto150sqm.Roof top rainwater shed to the hand pump through100 mm dia.
Water fed in the Rain water harvesting structure should be silt free. Water from first rain should be
diverted to drain through suitable arrangement. If water is not clear then filter should be provided.
In this method, a dry/unused dug well can be used as are charge structure. It is suitable for building
having a roof top area more than 100sqm. Recharge water is guided through a pipe of 100mm to the
both to the well as Well cleaning and desilting is imperative before using it. Recharge water guided
This method is used where permeable strata is available at shallow depth. It is suitable for buildings
having roof top area between 200 & 300 sqm.
In this method, trench of 0.5-1.0 mwide,1 1.5m deep and of adequate length depending upon roof
top area and soil/ subsoil characteristics should be constructed and filled with boulders, gravel and
sand. Cleaning of filter media should be done periodically.
This method is used where sub-soil is impervious and large quantity of roof water/surface run off is
available. In this, trench is made 1.5-3m wide and10-30m length depending upon water availability.
Wells of 150-300 mm dia. and 3-5 m deep (below previous layer) are constructed in the trench.
➢ Urban Water Management: With increasing urbanization and population growth, urban
areas face challenges in meeting water demand. Rainwater harvesting can be integrated into
urban water management strategies, including residential, commercial, and industrial
sectors. It can help supplement water supply, reduce stormwater runoff, and alleviate
pressure on existing water infrastructure.
➢ Climate Change Adaptation: Climate change brings about uncertain rainfall patterns,
including more frequent and intense rainfall events and extended dry spells. Rainwater
harvesting systems can serve as a climate change adaptation measure by capturing and
storing rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall for use during drier periods.
➢ Integrated Water Management Systems: The future of rainwater harvesting lies in its
integration with other water management systems. This includes combining rainwater
harvesting with greywater recycling, stormwater management, and wastewater treatment.
➢ Policy Support: Governments and regulatory bodies can play a vital role in promoting
rainwater harvesting through policy support and incentives. Implementation of building
codes and regulations that require rainwater harvesting in new constructions or provide
incentives for retrofitting existing buildings can drive widespread adoption.
➢ Overall, the future scope of rainwater harvesting lies in its integration into broader water
management strategies, technological advancements, policy support, and community
participation. By harnessing rainwater effectively, we can address water scarcity, promote
sustainable water management, and build more resilient water systems for the future
▪The proposed system reduces the labour cost and it immediately track the changes occurring in
real time monitoring such as lack of visibility into distribution, collection, distribution and
consumption patterns, leak detection, overflow/insufficiency in the pits and tank etc. results in time
consuming, costly, and reactive services.
▪ To minimise these losses, and to address mounting concerns about drought, flooding, and water
quality, water industry.
Many areas that experience drought, also have excessive rainfall during the rainy season. If the
rain is saved, it can provide enough water to irrigate a farmer's land throughout the dry season.
Rainwater harvesting/storage: Strategic and smart storage of rainwater can also be an important
way of water management in agriculture. The incorporation of large rain barrels to store the water
during excessive rainfalls is certainly a pragmatic way of water storage which can later be utilised
for crop irrigation.
The huge amount of precipitation occurring on the ground can be harvested and utilized for
different purposes, if proper collection system is provided. As so many parts of the world facing
the problems of water crises, one must understand the importance of water, and should made
optimum use of water and adopt efficient methods of collecting and saving the rainwater. The
procedure adopted in this study is proven to be very easy as per methodology and very efficient as
per the discharge calculated.