Rain Water Harvesting

PHCET > About > Infrastructure and Facilities > Rain Water Harvesting

Rain Water Harvesting

PHCET is situated in a region of heavy rainfall. However, during summer the whole region faces curtailment of water supply due to heavy industrial and commercial demand. Hence, conservation of water is a necessity. PHCET campus is planned for conserving and maintaining resources to fulfil the demand for water.

The college uses bore well and public supply to meet its general needs. The rain water from roofs is collected through the well-designed network of pipes. The network of pipes helps collect water in underground tanks and specially constructed recharge pits to recharge the tube wells and aquifers.

There are two types of underground tanks and recharge pits. There are two large capacity underground tanks, which collect water from roof tops and sewers that have dimensions 5M x 5M x 3M.

The recharge tube well and aquifer pit has dimensions 1.5M x 1.5M x 2M, which collects water from surface runoff water and surrounded by sewers. The recharge pits are strategically placed in the vicinity to replenish ground water which helps to maintain the ground water level even during the summer.

The water collected in large underground tanks is used for several purposes, like gardening, fire fighting, sanitary and laboratory. The campus has drip and sprinkle procedure for gardening and for lawns. The water is very consciously used for plantation and sanitation. The fire fighting pipe lines are spread all over and cover all buildings. During scarcity of water the collected water in the underground tanks is also used for maintenance of the playground and to maintain the green cover within the campus.

The runoff water from higher surfaces, open fields and surrounding sewer is collected in the recharge pits to recharge tube wells. The recharge pit is filled with loose soil and gravel to percolate water in the ground. This percolated water will maintain the ground water level and also the aquifer level. The recharge of aquifer as done by using runoff water is promoted by government of Maharashtra’s scheme “paaniadwa-paanijirwa” to make state drought free and for the enhancement of ground water table for irrigation purpose.

Rain water harvesting also reduces the water logging problem within the campus. This also improves the ground water table within the area because the water does not flow away but stands in that area and percolate in to the ground. Also excess water is stored into surrounded deep sewers helping to maintain the surrounding water table and greenery. Rain water harvesting also reduces the soil erosion problem within the campus.

Students are encouraged to make scientific studies to enhance rain water harvesting practices by carrying out final year projects. Regular, seminars and expert lectures are also arranged to give wider exposure to students.

Biogas Plant

The installation of a biogas plant on the college campus was initiated as part of our commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices. Biogas is a renewable energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials. In addition to the use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), the biogas produced by our on-campus plant is also effectively utilized in the college canteen. This dual-energy approach not only enhances our energy resilience but also contributes to cost savings. The canteen now benefits from a cleaner and more sustainable source of energy for cooking

Sensor-based Energy Conservation

In PHCET, the installation of sensor-based energy conservation systems in college buildings’ corridors and classrooms represents a proactive step towards achieving energy efficiency and sustainability. These sensor systems, when integrated into the infrastructure, take charge of controlling lighting, ensuring that energy is used judiciously, precisely where and when it is required. This not only leads to significant cost savings but also creates a more comfortable and productive environment for students and staff. The long-term benefits, particularly in terms of energy savings and reduced environmental impact, make these systems a wise choice to enhance operational efficiency and commitment to sustainability