Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) - Gobar Times (Down To Earth's Supplement)

A Down To Earth Supplement
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Varanasi Special Edition - April, 2002
Gobar means animal dung in Hindi. All of rural India uses it in a variety of ways. Ways that exemplify sustainable existence. That's why we use it, too.

Water Harvesting Site Plan of Rishi Kunj

Water Harvesting Potential
Area of the roof            = 18.5 x 9.40
                                  = 174 sq.m.
Total water available     = 174 x 6
                                  = 105
To take the water in litres = 105 x 1,000
                                      = 1,05,000
                                      = 1,05,000

Proposal for the Harvesting
Roof of water from the building is diverted to recharge well using pipe. The recharge well contains pebbles. The water gets filtered and recharges the nearby borewell.

Rainwater in Amphi Theatre
This is the place where in rainy season it filled with water till 1 or 2 metre. The water stays there and get lost by evaporation. We can use that water by making there a small pit, then the water will recharge there.

Jnana Pravaha
Total area: 2.5 acres or 3,600 sq.m.
Water potantial: 3,600 x .6 x .30
Note: Since the area is sandy in water only 30% of water is available for recharge
= potential = 648 cubic metre
= 6,48,000 litres

Recharge scheme
The site is sloping in two direction towards east and west. So we can harvest rain water by making 3 no's of recharge trenchs.

Recharge trench
The location of recharge trench are shown in the plan.