Rainwater Harvesting

Our dependency on groundwater resources and overuse thereof has led to a decline in water table so that in the last couple of decades the focus has shifted back to the traditional practices of rainwater harvesting, and ways and means have been sought to promote Rainwater harvesting in Urban areas to recharge the stressed groundwater systems. This book discusses in brief the classifications of Rainwater harvesting, and the various rainwater harvesting systems that are currently applied. The most important aspect for achieving any groundwater recharge is the availability of source water, this can be evaluated by analyzing the monsoon rainfall pattern, its frequency, number of rainy days, and maximum rainfall in a day and its variation in space and time.

The Deccan basalts are one of the most enigmatic rocks in India and pose a very difficult task when it comes to ground water exploration and groundwater recharge, especially in the urban areas where due to constraint of space one needs to resort to borewells for recharge purpose. It is important for any such undertaking to understand the applicability and sustainability aspects of Rainwater harvesting as it is being practiced.

This book tries to differentiate the Basaltic Aquifers from the other hard-rock Aquifers, and highlights the difficulties in trying to implement rainwater harvesting by groundwater recharge with the basaltic terrain. It also deals with the issue of long term sustainability of roof top Rainwater to meet the growing demands of fresh water. It also highlights some of the shortcomings in the methodologies used and the requirements for being considered in the various categories of green building rating agencies.

It furthermore clarifies the possibility and limitations of dependence of roof top harvesting in addressing the question of water shortages, which is of common occurrence within most urban centres of India. It also helps in clarifying major misconceptionsthat are currently prevailing regarding Roof top Rainwater harvesting especially within the low capacity aquifers within the hard rock terrain of the Deccan basalts.

Dr. Anil LALWANI (M.Sc. ; Ph.D.), Chief Technical Officer, Well & Water Works.

A self-made professional geologist in a real sense. After achieving Master's Degree in Science in Geology, in 1985 he has evolved himself and acquired most of the working skills in an area that has been prone to water shortages and mismanagement. This aspect greatly influenced his Primary research interest in topics of water resources exploration, development & management, for which he was awarded a  Ph.D. from University of Pune in 1995. Recipient of prestigious awards viz. ISRO, Junior Reserch Fellowship (Pune, India, 1986-87), DAAD Fellowship (Germany,1988-89), DAAD Revisiting Scientist Felloship, (Germany,2000); CSIR Post-Doctoral Research Associateship, (Pune, India, 1995-2000); ÖAD Felloship (Graz, Austria, 1999). Contributed to the preparation of a “Technical Manual” for Government of Maharashtra for a Rural Water and Supply & Sanitation Project, “JALSWARAJYA”,  with World Bank Assistance, (2002-2003), as a member of Team representing Gherzi Eastern Limited. Have been a regular contributor on the India Water Portal- “Ask the Expert” forum. Have also contributed important information regarding the technical aspects of Rainwater harvesting in daily newspapers, and seminars and workshops since 2004.Have been involved in technically aspects of Designing Rain water harvesting  for many industries, housing societies , individual bungalows in and around Pune, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani and Mumbai area of Maharashtra India  since 2003.