Water Management is a growing trend that enables, saving money, water and

environment. Intense competition among water users from agriculture, industry and
domestic sector is pushing the ground water table deeper. Proper water management in
your area helps to make your layout complete sustainable for water. The more educated
you are regarding water management, the better decision you are likely to make.

Many communities accept that there is growing demand for water and thinking ahead about
water security or management. Methods of water management can be classified as
Conservation, Allocation, retrofit program and Behavioral practices.

Apart from the conventional methods in rain water harvesting of water conservation,
I herewith submitting a new and innovative method in rain water harvesting system.

A common, large rainwater harvesting tank, in corporations, municipalities, and

panchayat, should be constructed underground. Like drinking water pipes installed on the
streets, rainwater collecting pipes embedded separately in each and every street and the
embedded pipes should be connected to the common rainwater harvesting tank already
built underground. One of the benefits of rainwater harvesting is the volume available. For
example, 1 inch of rain falling on a structure with a 40-foot by 70-foot roof area yields about
1,700 gallons (6,600 liters) of water.
The capacity of a rainwater harvesting tank may be according to the existing number
of homes and considering the number of homes to be built in future. Every home in the
municipality must legalize the installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting pipes, and that, the
pipes installed should be connected to the rainwater collection pipes already installed
separately on the streets. The rainwater that falls on the roof of the houses will flow to the
rainwater collection tanks.
A conventional multistage water purification plant should be installed near the
underground rainwater storage tank to purify the rainwater to turn in to drinking water. the
purified rainwater may be sent by conventional method to the residents of the area.
One of the main objections to the use of rainwater for drinking is that it is considered
impure and polluted. While this may be true, it is ironic that secondary sources of water like
rivers, lakes and groundwater, which are perhaps more polluted, are treated by applying
multi-stage water treatment technologies, why not to apply the same to the rainwater.
Moreover, our current strategies to deal with groundwater problems of fluoride and arsenic
the use of alternate source of water – rain – makes more sense.
There is enough rain to meet at least drinking water needs and it must be used for
drinking. Rainwater use for drinking purposes will promote the use of a decentralized and
low cost source of water, under user control. It will go a long way in achieving household
and community level clean drinking water, in a sustainable manner

Conservation or water conservation helps to recharge ground water by

reducing consumption and using alternative source of water. This method
includes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reuse of Greywater and
recycling wastewater.

 Rainwater Harvesting System: Rainwater harvesting system is collection

of rainwater from the surface which directly receives rainfall. Rain
harvesting system can be rooftop rainwater harvesting or artificial
groundwater recharging. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is quite popular
since it can either be stored in a tank or diverted to artificial recharge
system.

 Groundwater recharge: Groundwater recharge is a hydrologic process

where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater.
Recharge occurs both naturally and artificially. In natural groundwater
recharge, groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and to a smaller
extent by surface water such as rivers and lakes. Artificial groundwater
recharge is a successful method in order to purify surface water and to
improve the water management. Artificial groundwater recharge is the
infiltration of surface water into shallow aquifers to increase the quantity
of groundwater.

 Greywater System: Greywater is wastewater from non-toilet plumbing

systems such as hand basins, washing machines, showers and baths.
Most Greywater is easier to treat and recycle than blackwater, because of
lower levels of contaminants. The method and standard of treatment in a
Greywater system will vary with the size of the system. Pipes and supply
points on grey water must be clearly labeled in order to avoid confusion
with the mains drinking water.

 Recycling wastewater/ STP system: Recycling wastewater involves

Greywater system and blackwater system. Greywater is easier to treat
and recycle than blackwater. Blackwater contains bacteria that can
cause disease. That’s why communities build wastewater treatment
plants and enforce laws against the release of raw sewage into the
 environment. Sewage Treatment plant system are used to recycle
blackwater. In recent years, there has been growing interest in waste-
water reuse as a major component of water demand management.
 Retrofit water conservation
 Retrofitting involves the replacement of existing plumbing equipment with
equipment that uses less water. Retrofit programs are permanent, one-
time conservation measures that can be implemented with little or no
additional cost over their lifetimes. The most successful water-saving
fixtures are those which operate in the same manner as the fixtures they
are replacing such as dual flush toilet system, shower flow restrictors,
low-flow showerheads etc. A retrofit program involves the use of
education programs to let users know which fixtures are best, where to
get them, and how to install them.
 Behavioral Practices
 Behavioral practices involve modifying water use habits to achieve more
efficient use of water, thus reducing overall water consumption. Changes
in water use behavior can be implemented without modifying existing
equipment. Behavioral practices involve water conservation measures
such as replacing or repairing leaky faucets, awareness activities to
promote sustainable management of water resources etc.
 Things to remember

 Apartment owners association can implement rainwater harvesting system in the

apartment.

 Encourage your family to keep looking for new ways to conserve water in and around
your home.

 Re-use Greywater for non-potable used such as cleaning floors, toilet flushing, watering
garden etc.

 Install a mini Sewage Treatment Plant system to recycle wastewater.

 Residents need to pay for the water they use rather than paying a fixed amount per
apartment.

 Replace existing plumbing equipment with equipment that uses less water.

 Women should be trained as water managers for better utilization of the resource.

 Recharge of groundwater, borewell and aquifers through excavation of percolation ponds

and direct recharge

 Conduct Awareness program to promote sustainable management of water resources and

water harvesting structures.
 Demand better water management from the builders when you are buying an apartment.

 It would be good to monitor the water use closely and bill people based on usage.

 By conserving water, we can leave more water in nature to protect wildlife and to wash
away pollutants that threaten human and environmental health.