Storm-water Collection Potential

Emphasis on rain water harvesting has been increased for last more than decade. It is economical only when it is used for ground water recharge. Though it is compulsory for all new housing projects very few are in operation. It is because –

1.      It requires high infra-structure cost like underground tanks.

2.      Maintenance of tanks.

3.      One cannot depute separate work force because it operates few days in year.

On other side storm water is in huge quantity as compare to roof-based rain-water collection system and able to make flash-floods in rainy season.

Every large city infrastructure has two types of drainage systems sewer drainage system and storm-water drainage system. Qualitatively storm water is very safe as compare sewage it have mainly problem of turbidity as compare to fresh water.

Idea is instead of collecting and treatment/dispose storm water together according topography storm water should be collected and store as a artificial aquatic body. It can be constructing small bunds on existing nullahs, Old stone quarries may be require artificial reservoir at down streams .In a year or two naturally get converted to natural body and this water can be use as source of fresh water which will be helpful to reduce stress on existing water supply infrastructure. If such scheme is implemented in city like Pune which have around 480 sq.km area there will be 341760000 cubic meters extra water will get available for city on yearly basis.