CHAPTER 1 - SYNOPSIS

1.1 Title
1.2 Introduction
1.3 Need for study
1.4 Hypothesis
1.5 Aim
1.6 Objective
1.7 Scope & Limitations
1.8 Methodology

Chapter 2 - ORIGIN & DEVELOPMENT OF WATER

HARVESTING STRUCTURES
2.1 Distribution of different types of rain water harvesting technique in Rajasthan.
2.2 Evolution and History of harvesting structures and systems.
2.3 Components of rain water harvesting system.
2.4 Classification of rain water harvesting technique there structures and functions.

CHAPTER 3- CASE STUDY

1.1 Environmental sanitation institute ,Ahmedabad
1.2 Manvedra palace,Nahargarh, Jaipur
1.3 Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur

CHAPTER 4 - PARAMETERS FOR ANALYSIS

4.1 Analyses between traditional system and contemporary building

4.2 Advantage of traditional water harvesting structures

4.3 Disadvantage of contemporary water harvesting structures

CHAPTER 5 - CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

CHAPTER 1 - SYNOPSIS

1.1 Title
1.2 Introduction
1.3 Need for study
1.4 Hypothesis
1.5 Aim
1.6 Objective
1.7 Scope & Limitations
1.8 Methodology

SYNOPSIS
TITLE:
Traditional Water Harvesting structures

INTRODUCTION:
India has a rich tradition of water harvesting system, practice of harvesting dates
back to Vedic time when the need to create water sources that could remain both
Clear and provide plentiful. Water harvesting can be tracked back through human history
almost as far as the origin of agriculture. Water harvesting is defined as the redirect and
productive use of rainfall.

Water scarcity is a serious problem throughout the world for both urban and rural
communities. More and more water is required for domestic, construction and industrial use.
The rate of withdrawal is far in excess of the rate of recharging the water table. In India,
water is considered divine. But, there is nothing holy in our treatment of our water sources.
Pollution and overexploitation have shrunk the availability of clean and potable water to a
trickle.

Urbanization has resulted in overexploitation of ground water, reduction in open soil

surface and water infiltration rate and a resultant deterioration in water quality. Apartments
and industrial units face acute water shortage forcing them to spend considerable amounts of
money to purchase water from municipal and private water suppliers. The rural scenario is
equally grim. The population explosion necessitates a proportionate increase in food
production, which in turn demands more land, more fertilizers and pesticides and more water.

Water covers about 3/4 of the earth's surface, but only about 2% is
fresh water, and a larger portion of it is polar ice. 86% of Asia's fresh water is used for
agriculture, 8% for industry and 6% for domestic purposes.

Our country uses 83% of fresh water for agriculture.

Fresh water, once considered an inexhaustible resource, is now fast becoming a rare and
scarce commodity. The water policy of the Government of India puts a norm of 180 liters per
capita for our domestic needs. But it is not possible to supply even 100 litres per day even in
urban areas. 30 million Indians spread out over an area of 7 lakh sq. km., mostly in the west
and North West regions; face an acute scarcity of potable water especially in the summer
months.
NEED FOR THE STUDY:

In the present scenario management and distribution of water has become centralized.
People depend on government system, which has resulted in distribution of community
participation in water management and collapse of traditional water harvesting system.
Despite having a great regards for water, we seems to have failed to address this sector
seriously.

A United Nations estimate says that by the year 2025 two thirds of humanity will face a
shortage of fresh water. At present one third of the global population is facing water stress.

The annual rainfall in India is 400 million hectare meter (mham.). This rainwater can be used
to recharge the ground water, by adopting a simple technique called rainwater harvesting.
Rainwater harvesting means making use of each and every drop of rainwater to recharge the
groundwater, by directing the rainfall to go into the well or under the ground, without wasting
the rainwater.

India uses only 10-20 percent of its annual rainfall. When it rains, only a fraction of the water
percolates and reaches the ground water aquifers, while the major part of the rainfall drains
out as run-off and goes unused into the ocean. Further, lack of adequate storage facilities
necessitate water being let into the sea to prevent breaching and flooding. The increasing
numbers and depth of bore wells and wells and their unrestricted use threaten India's ground
water resources.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

HYPOTHESIS:

Traditional Water Harvesting structures are relevant in present context.

AIM:

To prove that traditional water harvesting structures & systems are relevant in present
context.

OBJECTIVE:
 2. To Study traditional water harvesting system, there Types and functions.
3. To Study contemporary water harvesting system & structures and find the problems.
4. Various traditional methods and techniques that may be adopted for harvesting water
in contemporary buildings.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION:

a) Building located in Rajasthan where water harvesting systems are mandatory.

2. Within Rajasthan there are various types of water harvesting structures.

However, study has been limited to certain belt of Rajasthan which exhibits a dense and
regular network of water.

3. There are many harvesting structures in western India which have no

Inscription or Information. About them and are found in remote villages
Or along roads.

4. These have not been included in study.

5. The study is Limited to western India that to in the state of Rajasthan.

6. The study is limited to the functional aspect of water harvesting structure not
dealing with their construction and structural detail.

Methodology
Chapter 2-
ORIGIN & DEVELOPMENT OF WATER HARVESTING STRUCTURES

2.1 Distribution of different types of rain water harvesting technique in Rajasthan.

2.2 Evolution and History of harvesting structures and systems.
2.3 Components of rain water harvesting system.
2.4 Classification of rain water harvesting technique there structures and
functions.

2.1 DISTRIBUTION OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING STRUCTURES &

SYSTEMS
Innumerable structures are found all over western India. Travelling through the
country, one finds that nearly every village and town has at least one or other
structure of its own, that many of them have architectural setting and artistic
embellishment.
NORTH-WESTERN

RAJASTHAN
 a) Rajasthan
All over Rajasthan there is a regular network of interesting and magnificent well-
monuments, although antiquity and art historical merit might different very much.
Very important harvesting systems are found in western and central Rajasthan.
They are more like well monuments having stepped form of a structural pond (kunds)
with the step-well proper ,often described therefore as a step-well pond.
The step wells of Rajasthan date between the 8 th and 11th centuries, their examples
are found in Abhaneri (late 8th century),Bhinnamal (8th century).
 Chand Baoli, Abhaneri,
Rajasthan

(Having access from three sides)

Tanka Kunds Paar Talab Johad

2.2 EVOLUTION AND HISTORY OF HARVESTING SYSTEM AND

STRUCTURES.
 In India, the first major human settlements started in the Indus Valley (3000-1500
B.C.) in the north and western India. Evidence of water systems is found in different
writings of this period. There are archaeological evidence of irrigation and drinking
water supply systems from a large number of wells with brick lining. Dholavira ,an
important site of Indus Valley had several reservoirs to collect rain water. Similar
evidences have been found at Mohanjodaro and Harappa. In Lothal (Gujarat) and In
amgaon (Maharashtra) and other places in north and western India small bunds
were built by the local people to store rain water for irrigation and drinking.
Constant point from me is that India has been and continues to be a groundwater
civilization. As early as the Harappan civilization (Indus-Saraswati) wells were the
primary means of drawing water . Wells also apparently were used as a form of
purifying water with the earth as a filter

It is quite amazing to see wells in the Harappan excavations , at Sarnath and at

Konarak. Each with its own character based on soil and groundwater conditions.

Harappa, Lothal, and Mohenjo-daro are three of the extensive archeological

excavations in the region.

They are noted for sophisticated public works

that included sewage drainage systems, public
wells, and private and public baths.

System & structures of Harappan civilization.

Water bodies like reservoirs, bunds and tanks were also privately owned and the
owner was free to sell or mortgage them. The owner could also sell water to others
in return for a share of the produce. In the absence of the owner, the water bodies
were to be maintained by the people of the village.

A set of punishments were prescribed for various violations of water laws

like:

a) Causing damage to anothers ploughed or sown field by letting water overflow

from a tank/ reservoir.
b) Causing damage to gardens, parks and bunds.
c) Owner of the higher tank preventing the filling of the lower tank.
d) Failure to maintain the water body.
e) Out-of-turn drawing of water from a tank.
f) Building a well or a tank on someone elses land.
g) Selling or mortgaging a water body meant for charitable purposes.
h) Death penalty was prescribed for breaking a reservoir or tank full of water.

In past few years, the state of Rajasthan .In, India has poor water fortunate aided in
part by the revival of ancient and traditional water conservation system .There are
hundreds of small and medium water techniques that have been adapted and used
Over centuries.

2.3 COMPONENTS OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM.

A rainwater harvesting system comprises components of various stages -

transporting rainwater through pipes or drains, filtration, and storage in tanks for
reuse or recharge. The common components of a rainwater harvesting system
involved in these stages are illustrated here.

a) Catchments:

The catchment of a water harvesting system is the surface which directly

receives the rainfall and provides water to the system. It can be a paved
area like a terrace or courtyard of a building, or an unpaved area like a
lawn or open ground. A roof made of reinforced cement concrete (RCC),
galvanized iron or corrugated sheets can also be used for water
harvesting.

b) Coarse mesh:

At the roof to prevent the passage of debris.

 c) Gutters:

Channels all around the edge of a sloping roof to collect and transport
rainwater to the storage tank. Gutters can be semi-circular or rectangular
and could be made using:

i. Locally available material such as plain galvanized iron sheet (20 to 22 gauge),
folded to required shapes.

ii. Semi-circular gutters of PVC material can be readily prepared by cutting those
pipes into two equal semi-circular channels.

iii. Bamboo or betel trunks cut vertically in half.

The size of the gutter should be according to the flow during the highest intensity
rain. It is advisable to make them 10 to 15 per cent oversize.

Gutters need to be supported so they do not sag or fall off when loaded with water.
The way in which gutters are fixed depends on the construction of the house; it is
possible to fix iron or timber brackets into the walls, but for houses having wider
eaves, some method of attachment to the rafters is necessary.

d) Conduits:
 Conduits are pipelines or drains that carry rainwater from the catchment
or rooftop area to the harvesting system. Conduits can be of any material
like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or galvanized iron (GI), materials that are
commonly available.

e) First-flushing:

A first flush device is a valve that ensures that runoff from the first spell of rain is
flushed out and does not enter the system. This needs to be done since the first spell
of rain carries a relatively larger amount of pollutants from the air and catchment
surface.

2.4 CLASSIFICATION OF RAIN WATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUE

THERE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS.

A. Residential
i. Tankas
The Tankas is a traditional rainwater harvesting techniques, common to
the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, India.
It is important and meant to provide drinking water for a single or a small group of
families and is an important element of water security in these arid regions.
A Tanks is a cylindrical underground rainwater storage cistern usually 10x10 in size,
where in rain water from roof top, a courtyard of artificially prepared catchment flaws
into the paved underground pit, can be used by one family.

Once fully filled, the water is sufficient for family of 5-6 members.

Material:
Circular holes made in ground, lined with fine polished lime, in which water was
collected. Often beautifully decorated tiled shown above help to keep the water cool.

B. Agricultural aspect

i. paar system
Paar is common water harvesting practice in the western Rajasthan .
It is the common place where the rainwater flows the agar (catchment)
And in the process percolates into the sandy soil. In order to store access the rajani
pani(percolates water) kuis or beris are dug in the agor(storage area). Kuis or beris
are normally 5m to 12m deep. Construction through traditional masonry technology.
Depending on the size of the paar the number of kuis or beris are decided. In
Jaisalmer district 20 kuis operations are running.
 ii. khadin or dhora
A Khadin also called a dhora ,is an ingenious construction designed to harvest
surface runoff water for agriculture. It is an earthen embankment built across the
general slope which conserves the maximum possible rainwater runoff within an
agricultural field.
It is usually 1.5-3.5 M high and made on three sides of the lower contours of a
farmland with one side left open for rainwater to drain in from the surrounding
catchment area.
Khadin bund is designed on the basis of local rainfall pattern, catchment
characteristic and soil type.
A spillway is provided location for exist of excess water.
 C. Social gathering

i. Bavadis/ baoli
Boris or bers are community wells, found in Rajasthan that are used mainly for
drinking. Secular structures from which everyone could draw water mainly used for
utilitarian purposes and as, they can hold water for a long time because of almost
negligible water evaporation.
 ii. Talab/Bandis- Udaipur
Talabh are reservoirs, they may be natural such as the ponds (pokhariyan).at
tikamgarh in the bundelkhand region ,they can be human made lakes in udaipur.
Areservoir area of less than five bighas is called a talai medium sized lake is called
a bandhis or talabh.

iii. Saza/Kuva:
An open well with multiple owner(saza+ partner),saza kuva is the most important
source of irrigation in the aravalli hills in Mewar ,eastern Rajasthan. The soil dug out
to make the well pits is used to construct a huge circular foundation or elevated
platform sloping away from well. The first is built to Accommodate the reheat, a
traditional water lifting device, the sloping platform is for chada, in which buffaloes
are used to lift water. Construction taken up by a group of farmers. Skilled person
required , help fix the site.

iv. . Johads-Alwar district

Capture and conserve rain water, improving percolation and ground water recharge.
1984,till now some 3000 johads spread across more than 650 villages in Alwar
district, Rajasthan.
Resulted , in general rise of ground water level by almost 6 metres 33 % increase in
forest area.
Rivers that used to go dry, immediately becomes perennial.
 v. Kunds/Kundis -western Rajasthan
A Kund or kundis looks like an upturned cup nestling in a saucer ,harvesting
rainwater for drinking.
A circular Underground well have a saucer shaped catchment are, gently slopes
towards the center where the well is situated. Sides of well-pit are covered with lime
and ash. Depth on this use or require dments. Diameter depends on use .

vi. kuis /beris-western rajasthan

10-12 M Deep pits dug near tanks to collect the seepage the mouth of pit is usually
narrow, hence prevents water from evaporation covered with planks of woods, or put
under lock and key.
Villages pithla in jaislemer district in rajasthan,is an engineer skilled in making

kuis/beris.
Pearl Academy of fashion Jaipur, Rajasthan
Built-up Area- 2,15,278 sq. ft.
Climate-hot-dry, desert type climate on the outskirts of Kukas, Jaipur
Rainfall- The average rainfall less than 500mm in a year in month of July-Sep.
Wind Direction- South-west direction

Main building block Steps as interaction place

 courtyard of building
A large step well in the center of the building also plays role in lowering the
temperature of the air as it enters under the belly of the building.
Fed by recycled water from the on-site sewage treatment plant, the well creates a
cooler micro climate through evaporation.

Underbelly with Open stepped well

Water body and step wells

Barrier free environment

Two passive cooling control methods to keep the work spaces and courtyard cool at
27 degree Celsius even it is 47 outside.
First, the entire building is elevated off the ground, sucking air in around the edges of
the building which is eventually released lip through the open-air courtyard.
Traditional principle of-Baori or Bavdi has been used