Application of Rain Water Harvesting Scheme in Shimla Region

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting is an innovative and a suitable alternative approach of water supply that can be used by anyone. Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use. It is a well known fact that during summer season there is a huge scarcity of water in northern regions of India and as such implementing rainwater harvesting would be beneficial because it would reduce demand on existing water supply reduces run-off, erosion, and also contamination of surface water. A rainwater harvesting system can range in size and complexity. All systems have basics components, which include a catchment surface, conveyance system, storage, distribution, and treatment. As such, we discuss in this paper about the prospects and possibilities of rainwater harvesting in Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh, which experience water shortages in summer periods due to increase in population and also climatic conditions. The result of our study shows that judicious storing of rain water all round the year and not only summer can be stored without incurring any significant losses. Further, the study shows that the sanitation water requirements for a family can be met for two months with storage of rainwater for one single month only. Further, the construction pattern of houses in Shimla (sloped roof structures) already provides an advantage in storing rainwater efficiently. The non-dimensional design parameters can be applied for any place which experiences a scarcity of water. The paper also presents a simple benefit-cost ratio for the designed rainwater harvesting system.

Design of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting Structure in a University Campus

“…In order to reduce the risk of scarcity of water to the future population, rain water collection and storm water harvesting from runoff would be an effective way. [4], [2], [3], [7].The best way for rainwater harvesting is to recharge the ground water and also, if rain water collected in natural ponds or artificial tanks is unused, the same can be used to charge the natural aquifer thus boosting the ground water level [5]. The technique by which the rain water is collected from rooftop catchments is termed as roof top rain harvesting [6].…”

Viability of Rain Water Recharging at Green City Cooperative Housing Society-Gandhinagar

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Water scarcity demands the maximum use of every drop of rainfall. Rainwater harvesting system has been considered as a suitable alternative water source for increasing water supply capacities (Ganguly et al, 2014). It is the collection of water volume from raindrops which is the most economical and practical measures for providing supplementary water supplies with its easy system installation.

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“…It can be a supplementary water source in urbanized regions for miscellaneous multiple household uses such as toilet flushing, lawn watering, landscape and ecological pools etc. (Ganguly et al, 2014).Realizing the benefits of rain water harvesting, the paper examines the economic feasibility of setting up such system at Green City, Vavol, Gandhinagar. Narmada Water Channel is not available in the society.…”

“…It can be a supplementary water source in urbanized regions for miscellaneous multiple household uses such as toilet flushing, lawn watering, landscape and ecological pools etc. (Ganguly et al, 2014).…”