How Rainwater Harvesting Can Solve Global Water Scarcity
Every day that goes by, more and more water is becoming scarce. The World Economic Forum identified the water crisis as the fifth most dangerous global risk in terms of its potential to affect society in January 2020, making it a serious problem that needs to be addressed. It's noteworthy that proper water management is the main issue rather than scarcity. There is a current water crisis, according to the World Water Council. However, the problem is not that there isn't enough water to meet our requirements. The inadequate management of water is the crisis, and both the environment and billions of people suffer greatly.
A Glance of global water crisis
- According to UN-Water, countries with water shortages are home to 2.3 billion people.
- According to UNICEF, 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children, live in areas with high or extremely high water vulnerability.
- Around 785 million individuals do not have access to basic water services.
- According to the WHO, 884 million people do not have access to clean drinking water.
- At least one month of the year, two-thirds of the world's population experiences acute water scarcity.
- The World Water Institute predicts that by 2030, severe water scarcity could force 700 million people to leave their homes.
- 3.2 billion people reside in agricultural regions that experience severe water scarcity or shortages.
- Asia is home to over 73% of those who experience water shortages.
- The world's water crisis is a problem for women: women and girls are predicted to spend 200 million hours a day lugging water, which UNICEF considers "a tremendous waste of time."
- Lack of access to clean water and sanitary facilities can contribute to diarrhea, which kills 2,195 children per day, more than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined.
A harmonious coexistence of natural cycles and the available natural resources is essential for sustainability. The largest and most accessible resource now being wasted, rain, needs to be utilized in order to accomplish this goal and safeguard the already existing reservoirs, rivers, aquifers, and ecosystems from further devastation. The important thing to remember is that rainwater harvesting does not require any energy or natural resources; on the contrary, it aids in the preservation of water, a resource that is both necessary and quickly running out. Rainwater harvesting is a time-honored idea that is easy to use and adaptable. It is just the process of gathering rainwater and storing it for later use. The various forms that rainwater harvesting systems can take range from simple rain buckets to more complex setups with pumps, tanks, and purifying systems.
Any technology that collects rainwater is suitable for reuse. It can be used for the majority of tasks except ingestion without filtration or purification. It is suitable for eating once it has gone through the purifying procedure. Rainfall on impervious hard surfaces like roads, buildings, and roofs in metropolitan areas causes floods, which present a new set of difficulties. This makes rainwater collection even more necessary and beneficial.
Government regulations to promote rainwater collection in more and more cities are being driven by urban flooding on the one hand and a growing water deficit on the other.
India is the nation where, during the intense monsoons, 1,000 litres or even more of water can be collected. Approximately 87,000 rain harvesting pits have recently been built by the government in Kerala, a state in the southern United States. These pits are expected to endure for up to five years with no upkeep.
By 2030, it is planned to significantly minimize sewage discharges into nearby rivers. The realization that rainwater harvesting systems must be an integral part of infrastructure is spreading around the globe slowly but steadily. No matter their complexity, all rainwater collection systems need these five essential parts.
Rainwater Harvesting
In South Asia and other countries , rainwater harvesting has been practiced for many thousands of years as one of the simplest and earliest means of water self-sufficiency. These days, the lack of high-quality water is a major source of worry.
There are two major techniques of rainwater harvesting
- Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
- Groundwater recharge
Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting is the technique through which rain water is collected from the roof catchments and stored in reservoirs. By using these artificial recharge techniques, collected rainwater can be stored in subsurface groundwater reservoirs to meet the needs of the household through tank storage. It can supply water for cattle, farming, and ordinary household needs. Urban areas are the best places for rooftop rainwater harvesting as it collects storm runoff using the recharge pit, recharge trench, recharge well, and recharge well.
Water travels downward from surface water to groundwater during the hydrologic process known as groundwater recharge. The primary way that water enters an aquifer is through recharge. The aquifer also functions as a mechanism for distribution. The extra rainwater can then be used to recharge the groundwater system using artificial recharge of groundwater methods to replenish the groundwater aquifer. In rural locations, rainwater can be captured using the following methods: gully plug, contour bund, dug well recharge, percolation tank, check dam, cement plug, or Nala bund, and recharge shaft.
Fundamental Components of Rainwater Harvesting:
- Catchment
- Gutters and conduit Pipes
- Filters and flush devices
- Storage tanks
- Delivery systems
the surface to collect rainwater. It could be a paved surface, a rooftop, or a landscaped area. The catchment's surface area determines how much water you can harvest.
The water must be directed towards the storage tank by them. Half-round pipes constructed of galvanized iron (GI), steel, aluminum, and u - PVC are the most often used types, with GI, steel, and aluminum being the preferred materials. Rain's slightly acidic nature can dissolve lead and other heavy metals found in gutter solder, poisoning the water supply.
Purchasing the right rainwater filter system is essential. The rain filter system needs to be capable of successfully removing dangerous and polluting substances. The one-stop solution for all the aforementioned new technologies and techniques is offered by Rainy Filters, which operates out of Bangalore and serves all of India's states. It is affordable, user-friendly, tiny, simple to handle, and simple to install.
Its "Rainy" Dual Intensity Rain Water Harvesting Filter Technology is entirely indigenous and patented. It has well-maintained systems and roof-top water harvesting technology.
Our invention allows groundwater recharge by using an injection well with "V-Wire injection well technology" that allows groundwater recharge. A first-flush valve flushes out the first spell of rain, which carries relatively more toxins from the catchment surface and air.
an essential part of the system. They can be stacked below ground, above ground, or somewhere in between, depending on the available area. Concrete, polyethylene, and galvanised steel are often utilised materials for these tanks. If the tank is above ground, precautions must be taken to stop algae growth.
Piping systems transport the filtered and stored rainwater to its final destination. The pipes used for this function are made of the same material as conduit pipes. The greatest choice to reliably provide high-quality water throughout time is to use u-PVC pipes.
It is important to exercise caution when selecting the components for a rainwater harvesting system when building one or integrating one into a facility. It is vital to pick the correct materials. The decision made at this point will determine how well the solution works and produces the desired outcomes. If done properly, rainwater harvesting can help the world overcome its water shortage and enable us to leave a more beautiful planet for future generations.
Conclusion
Rain Water harvesting is the most efficient and eco-friendly technique to reduce water scarcity. It is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off, and can be used for household works, watering gardens, livestock, irrigation, and domestic uses. Rainwater harvesting methods can also reduce global warming and improve the hydrological cycle on Earth.
