Design, Installation, and Efficacy of a Multi-Stage Filtration Rainwater Harvesting System for Non-Potable Water Security at Govt. P.G. College Agastyamuni, Uttarakhand.

This study highlights the design, installation, and effectiveness of a comprehensive Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) system implemented at Govt. P.G. College Agastyamuni, situated in the water-scarce Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The system collects and stores rainwater from the college's rooftop catchment area, utilizing a four-chamber sequential filtration process that ensures superior water quality. The filtered water is then stored in a 4000-liter tank (1000*4 tanks) and used for non-potable applications such as gardening, laundry, and sanitation. By adopting this innovative approach, the college reduces its dependence on municipal water supplies, conserves groundwater resources, and promotes sustainable water management practices. The project's success serves as a model for other educational institutions and communities in water-stressed regions, demonstrating the potential of RWH systems to enhance water security and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity.
The innovative design incorporates a four-chamber sequential filtration process for superior water quality:
1. Screen Chamber: The initial tank uses a screen for preliminary water screening and is connected via a black pipe to the next stage.
2. Multigrade Filtration Chamber: This chamber employs a bed of pebbles and gravel for effective coarse filtration.
3. Activated Carbon Chamber: The water then passes (via a green pipe) into a chamber containing activated carbon, which plays a critical role in filtration by adsorbing colors, odors, and other dissolved impurities from the collected water.
4. Collection Tanks: After this multi-stage filtration process, the filtered water passes via a final green pipe into the interconnected storage tanks.
Once filtration is accomplished, the collected water is ready for use. The tanks are equipped with a submersible pump for distribution. The system incorporates provisions for chemical dosing (as needed) and is designed to allow water to pass through a candle filter (post-dosing) as an added safety measure before distribution. The harvested water is effectively utilized for essential non-potable applications, including gardening, laundry washing, and washroom facilities, significantly reducing the college's dependence on municipal supplies. Monitoring results indicate that this multi-stage filtration RWH system is highly efficacious and serves as an excellent, replicable model for water security in educational institutions within water-stressed, hilly regions.

RH-Rainwater Harvesting, WS-Water Security Sustainability

1. The references below include academic papers, government reports, and books that cover traditional and modern RWH systems, case studies, and policy in these regions. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Rainwater harvesting potential database of india (1.0), authors/publisher: ojasvi, p. R., patil, n.g., shrimali, s.s., et al., icar-indian institute of soil and water conservation (iiswc), dehradun, uttarakhand. Content: a comprehensive gis-based database and report analyzing the rwh potential across various states in india, including estimates for water protective irrigation and groundwater recharge. (iiswc is located in dehradun, uttarakhand, making this reference relevant to both regions). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Jal shakti abhiyan: catch the rain (jsa: ctr) campaign documents, source: ministry of jal shakti, government of india (press information bureau releases and official campaign documents). Content: official reports detailing the nation-wide campaign on water conservation and rwh with the theme "catch the rain - where it falls when it falls." it covers the scope, number of structures created, and associated schemes like atal bhujal yojana and amrut. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Model building bye laws (mbbl), 2016; source: ministry of housing & urban affairs, government of india. Content: guidelines for states/uts that mandate the inclusion of rainwater harvesting structures for all buildings with a plot size of 100 sq. M. Or more. This forms the basis for urban rwh policy in much of india. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures – i, author/source: dr. Deepak khare, department of water resources development and management, indian institute of technology roorkee (iit roorkee). Content: training webinar/material on the potential, design, and various methods of rwh and artificial recharge structures suitable for both urban and rural environments in india. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Traditional systems & documentation (chal, khal, naula, dhara);traditional water management: practices of uttarakhand, author: manikant shah.publisher: pentagon press. Content: exhaustive documentation of the diversity of traditional hydraulic structures (like naula, dhara, gul, chal, and khal) in uttarakhand, their technology, and their relevance to solving the contemporary water crisis. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Saving traditional water harvesting systems in uttarakhand; source: researchgate/down to earth (article/paper). Content: discusses the importance and cultural significance of traditional systems like naula (stone-lined aquifer tanks) and dhara (springs) which remain primary drinking water sources, especially in the kumaon region, and the need for their maintenance. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Cultural significance and conservation challenges of traditional water harvesting systems of uttarakhand himalaya: a critical review; author: harish chandra joshi, et al. (academic paper). Content: a review focusing on the traditional systems like naulas, dharas, khals, and guhls in uttarakhand (and other himalayan states), examining their traditional, cultural, and architectural importance for water security. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Benefits being derived by roof water harvesting structures in khetikhan, champawat, uttarakhand- a case study; authors/source: dinesh prasad raturi & pushpendra tripathi, baif development research foundation (academic paper). Content: a specific case study on the implementation and benefits of rooftop rainwater harvesting tanks in the champawat district of uttarakhand, particularly for irrigation and domestic use in hill villages. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. A study on uttarakhand's water conservation policies; author: shipra gupta (academic paper). Content: an analysis of the state's policies concerning water conservation, which often integrate modern rwh and the revival of indigenous systems to mitigate the impact of climate change, deforestation, and rising water needs in the himalayan region. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Indigenous water conservation technology of sumari village, uttaranchal; authors: r. Kala & c. Kala (academic paper). Content: focuses on the indigenous rwh technology developed and practiced by the community in sumari village, pauri district, uttarakhand (former uttaranchal), highlighting local solutions to water scarcity. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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