Water Harvesting

Water harvesting measures

These are artificial recharge measures that capture

rainfall and run-off and store it in the soil profile or

add to the recharge

Water harvesting measures

There are many different types of water harvesting

techniques – depending on:

natural conditions (slope, soil, rainfall patterns) local knowledge and traditions

Some examples of water harvesting measures

Recharge wells Percolation ponds Contour bunding Checkdams and gully-plugs Subsurface dams

Recharge well

By channelling run-off to disused dugwells,

recharge wells are created

Percolation tank

These tanks collect rainwater and

run-off and make sure it infiltrates

Intercepts the sheetflow and ponds up water in the gully, so that it

infiltrates

Contour Bund

Block and impound

stormwater flow in

riverbeds and gullies

Some examples of water harvesting measures

These are built underground

- They intercept subsurface flows

in river beds

- They serve both to recharge and

to increase water tables in the

area

Subsurface dams

Where possible small and low cost water harvesting structures –

such as recharge wells - may be promoted, as these:

can be made with local and even individual investment can be easily maintained

When people invest themselves in recharge it is also more likely

that they will develop local rules on using groundwater

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Local water harvesting measures

There are also many opportunities to integrate

road planning with artificial recharge by having

road bunds slowing down surface run-off

This bridge for instance

doubles up as a checkdam!

Flood water in the river

bed is retained before it

flows through the

culverts

Water

retained

here