Sankalpa Rural Development Society

The innovative approach to rainwater harvesting through bore well recharge can rejuvenate even dried-up bore wells. The excessive drilling of new bore wells and overexploitation of existing ones have led to a significant depletion of groundwater levels, resulting in numerous bore wells running dry.
The earlier method used was the single ring method. To address the challenges in obtaining sand for filtration, the organisation has now introduced an alternative method called the Twin Ring Method, which is cost-effective and more accessible.

Roofs serve as an ideal surface for collecting rainwater. When appropriately channelled, this water can serve various purposes: from household and drinking needs to agricultural use or recharging groundwater levels through bore wells. The rooftop rainwater harvesting system comprises distinct components designed to direct rainwater to its intended destination. The roof serves as a catchment, gathering rainwater that then navigates through a network of pipes and filters before being stored in a reservoir or directed back to an underground bore well through a small infiltration well. This method of rooftop harvesting is straightforward, cost-effective, and requires minimal maintenance.

SRDS collaborates with approximately 5,600 women in 700 Self-Help Groups across the Gadag and Dharwad areas. In Gadag District, these groups operate in 65 villages, while in the Dharwad region, women from 48 different villages are actively involved.
Partnering with ICICI Bank and Micrograam Social Development Foundation, it provides microfinance loans to empower these women as small-scale entrepreneurs in their respective businesses. These loans facilitate the establishment of enterprises such as local grocery stores (Kirana), investment in livestock like cows or buffaloes for milk production, and acquiring sewing machines to launch tailoring businesses, among other ventures.

SRDS provides a viable solution for villages facing drinking water scarcity. In collaboration with the Panchayat, the organisation has installed a Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration system. The Panchayat contributes by providing a storage shed and the necessary water supply. The initial cost for this unit is Rs 3,50,000, which is gradually recovered over 3-4 years as villagers purchase water at the rate of Rs 3 for 20 litres. Access to pure water is crucial, particularly in areas where groundwater toxicity adversely affects the health of the population. For instance, in the Gadag area, elevated fluoride levels in groundwater contribute to health issues among villagers.
The RO system, capable of producing 1000 litres of purified water per hour, effectively caters to the needs of a large population.

During the summer of 2017, extensive surveys were conducted to collect household details. Smart cards have been issued to each household, ensuring transparent and fair delivery during water rations.
Currently, the focus is to train tanker drivers to ensure the quality and cleanliness of the water supplied. This operation demands meticulous documentation and reporting.

To execute the MGNREGA Scheme, the organisation aims to deploy rainwater harvesting bore well recharge systems on 60 underperforming or dried-up bore wells located in smallholder farms within the vicinity.
The primary objective is to significantly augment groundwater availability and flow by implementing rainwater harvesting bore well recharge systems on these identified 60 bore wells situated in the agricultural landscapes surrounding the village.

Whether the residence is large or small, the organisation provides guidance and support for rainwater harvesting, ensuring full compliance with the latest government regulations for the home or housing community. For individual households equipped with water tanks, the services extend to assisting in the filtration of rooftop water. During the rainy season, this filtered water can be utilized for all household purposes, including drinking water, which significantly reduces dependence on Corporation Water Supply for the three months of rainfall. The cost for this filtration, including plumbing and labour charges, ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 Rupees—a cost-effective solution for conserving water and effectively harvesting rainwater.

Industrial operations often demand substantial water consumption. Leveraging rooftop rainwater harvesting, the organisation helps fulfill water requirements at a minimal cost.
Harnessing rooftop rainwater offers multiple advantages: it saves costs, aids in aquifer recharge, guaranteeing a reliable water supply, and has the potential to enhance the potability of existing groundwater by diluting its solids.