Rainwater Harvesting – Part 2 (Recharge Pit)

What happens if the underground sumps / tanks overflow with rainwater? Divert the filter knob towards the Recharge or Percolation Pit!

Recharge or Percolation Pit is an essential asset in every building as it helps in recharging the borewell or well with clean rainwater

Why can’t we directly recharge bore-well? Why do we need a Recharge Pit?

Sending unfiltered rainwater directly into the bore-well – can contaminate the borewell or the entire groundwater (aquifier), thereby, making it unfit for usage.

To be on a safer side, I would recommend not to send any water directly into the borewell.

The safest and the best way is to build a Recharge pit (closer to the borewell or well) and naturally pass the water downward!

How and what is required to build a Recharge Pit?

Ask your preferred Mason or Plumber for a recharge pit plan for your building and do note the following:

Tips:

1. While digging, if you notice clay soil on surface – make sure you dig till you reach sand layer. This helps in percolating water at a faster rate
2. Make sure all rooftop outlets are either connected to the Recharge Pit or through a filter to re-fill underground tanks or sumps
3. Surface run-off water within building premises (i.e rainwater flowing on ground and unable to permeate) should be diverted towards Recharge Pit
4. Preferably, recharge pits needs to be closer to the borewell or well and away from any foundation or building pillars

Additionally, speak with your Civic officials, in installing a similar recharge pit for your street. After laying asphalt or concrete roads, surface runoff water has increased exponentially to 90-95% – leading to street floods (as they are unable to permeate)

Such street floods or dry reservoirs / rivers, can be completely avoided – if we take the initiative to implement Recharge Pits & filters to re-fill underground tanks or sumps in every premises!

Rainwater Harvesting is a necessity! Why wait till it’s mandatory?

Rs 3 lakh savings per year, and borewells that never dry: What a Bengaluru apartment gained from RWH