Biome at MGIRED - workshop on Rainwater harvesting for domestic usage

  Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Energy and Development (MGIRED), Bengaluru, organized a two-day Rainwater Harvesting workshop for engineers of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Employment Guarantee Act). On the first day, Shivanand from Biome Environmental Trust conducted a session on “Rainwater harvesting for domestic usage – discussion with participants”. Around 30 engineers from Koppal, Dharwad, Bellary, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Gadag, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Devanahalli and other parts of Karnataka attended the session.

Statues of village musicians in MGIRED campus

Date and Time – 1st February, 2024, 12.30 PM to 2 PM

Venue - Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Energy and Development (MGIRED), Bengaluru

Topic of Discussion - Rainwater Harvesting for Domestic Usage

Members from Biome – Shivanand, Apeksha and Eshwarappa

Knowledge session:

           The session started by shedding light on the current situation of traditional sources of water like old open wells and Kalyani, the effects of urbanization, and the over-exploitation of groundwater. The need for effective water demand management was explained. Water demand management can be done under 5 heads: 1) Reducing the overall water demand 2) Rainwater harvesting 3) Recharging the groundwater 4) Repairing the leakages immediately 5) Reusing wastewater after treatment

      Shivanand explained the various components of a rainwater harvesting system in detail. The choice of the material for down-take pipes, various levels at which the filter, the underground sump tank and the recharge well should be constructed, the types of filters and their maintenance, the importance of the first rain separator, etc. Various steps involved in constructing a recharge well were also explained. The engineers were introduced to successful projects implemented by Biome Environmental Trust in Hunasamaranahalli and Devanahalli, where shallow aquifers are effectively being used as a water source and are integrated with the municipal water supply system.

Activity Session:

The last part of the session involved an exercise for participants where they calculated rainwater harvesting potential for different plot sizes. They also calculated the size of the sump tank and masonry filter for the corresponding roof area. Participants appreciated the activity session as it helped them apply the knowledge they gained from the knowledge session.

Activity Sheet

 

 

(from left) Rainwater Harvesting system , Open well at MGIRED campus

Blog written by,

Apeksha