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.