Rainwater Harvesting in Dahanu

Dahanu, a coastal town located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, is known for horticulture and agriculture production because of the agro climatic and soil properties. The District faces acute water shortages in summer with dry river beds.  In December 2006, a rainwater harvesting (RWH) project was carried with the objectives of:

1. Recharging dry community bore wells in tribal villages to provide clean drinking water.
2. Raising awareness about RWH systems amongst tribal communities.
3. Promoting RWH at Gram Panchayat and Taluka levels.

CERE carried out the revival of dry and defunct bore wells, which entailed:

– Selection of bore wells
– Mark 10 ft. diameter percolation pit
– JCB Digger excavating percolation zone
– Digging of a 10 ft deep percolation pit
– Drilling holes into boring tube
– Stainless steel wire mesh filters fitting
– Layering of percolation pit with gravel and sand
– Settling and re-filling of percolation pit
– Building of concrete platform (vata) and memorial plaque

9 bore wells were recharged in the pilot phase of project.