Make every drop count

Around 60,000 litres of underground water can be extracted from a 1,000 sq ft plot annually with proper rainwater harvesting methods.

There was a grim situation in the City last summer with huge water scarcity and the water levels of reservoirs touching rock bottom. Today, the rainwater was flooding the roads and drains of the city creating huge trouble to the commuters. The scarcity and flooding of water can be managed and to a reasonable extent, if the residents try to bring rain water harvesting systems in place.

The nature cycle is getting affected by extracting the ground water from the lowest possible levels with out replenishing it. The culture of apartments has further worsened the scenario by increasing the dependence on underground water in the lowest possible land area.

Many are not even bothered to recharge the ground water, leaving the rain water on to the roads resulting in damaging and flooding of the roads and drains, said Abhinav Gangumalla, CEO, Hyderabad goes green.

Around 60,000 litre of underground water can be extracted from a 1,000 sqft plot annually with proper rainwater harvesting methods.

An individual uses 135 litre per day or a family of four use 540 litre per day, resulting the need of 1,97,000 litres per year. Even after rainwater harvesting methods, the household is extracting 1,37,000 litres annually from the underground water. However, if the resident try to exploit the underground with out rainwater harvesting methods, the water levels will deplete soon and will result in water scarcity soon, he said.

The quality of bore water can be increased and maintained by using the rainwater harvesting methods. It is mandatory to keep the terrace clean and the rain water pipe should not be connected to the any of the house cleaning water, he said.

The used water from the house should not be sent to the pit because of its contamination with detergents and soaps. It will spoil the purity of water that is harvested resulting in bad quality bore water, he said.

Many residents have realised the importance of water with its scarcity and started practicing these methods. There are also some who use these methods just with awareness to increase the underground water levels.

There are even few eco-friendly residents in the City using these methods without going for a bore-well at home, he said.There were many builders who have applied for permissions by digging small pits in the corner of their apartments.However, they did not implement rainwater harvesting methods once they got the permissions. The pit was not maintained properly and this resulted in heavy costs at a later time.

Almost 50 per cent of the costs can be saved by constructing rainwater-harvesting system, during the construction of house or an apartment. The construction costs depends on the area but can approximately range around `10, 000 per 1,000 sft and the ideal time is March-May, Abhinav said.

The resident, who is buying water can also get back the money invested in the form of water in two to three years. However, it cannot be guaranteed all the water harvested in the house area will benefit only that house. A small amount of water can also go to the neighbour helping to increase over all underground water levels, he added.

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