Today, we visited three government schools in Bangalore, focusing on their different rainwater harvesting systems. All three of these systems had been installed in the last year. The first school we visited was TC Halli Government School. This school is an example of a sloped roof rainwater harvesting system. We learned that Biome had helped to install a rainwater filter, underground sump tank (4400L capacity), recharge well (3’ wide, 20’ deep), and a new overhead water tank for the roof. The school has a pre-existing borewell that they still use. Rainwater and borewell water are both used for daily use such as cleaning, gardening, dish washing, toilets, hand washing, etc. The handwash station was replaced to reduce water loss from dishwashing, and resistors were installed in the taps. The school uses RO water for drinking and cooking.
Toilet unit, showing the gutter connections to the rainwater filter, as well as the handwash station.
Left: Sump tank. Right: Recharge well.
The second school we visited was Tindlu Government School, which uses a flat roof rainwater harvesting system. Similar infrastructure was installed at this school. Since the roof area is reasonably large, the underground sump tank had a much greater capacity, at 12000L. A rainwater filter and recharge well (4’ wide, 20’ deep) were installed, as well as a handwashing station. Resistors for the taps were installed during our visit. This school also uses RO water for drinking and cooking, but meets all other water needs with either rainwater or borewell water. While we were at Thindlu the headmaster and students were very welcoming and also invited us to visit the school’s art room, where we saw some very impressive artwork!
Left: Recharge well. Right: Sump tank and hand wash station.
Rainwater filter. Y-joint shown.
Student art classroom.
Our last visit was to Handenahalli Government School, which is an example of a flat roof rainwater harvesting system utilizing an above ground sump tank with a capacity of 5000L. This school also had a newly installed rainwater filter and recharge well. Similar to the previous schools, this school used RO water for drinking and cooking, and borewell or rainwater for other purposes. We observed students washing their dishes after lunch in the new handwash station fixed to the sump tank. Resistors were also installed during our visit. To end our day, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of rice and sambar with the school’s headmaster and teachers.
Students using the new handwash station. Above ground sump tank and rainwater filter are visible behind.
Borewell and recharge well.
Overall, this was a very informative day and it was very interesting to see three new and different rainwater harvesting systems. It was great to see the student’s interactions with these systems as well. We learned that in many schools, they will train students to take care of the recharge well and sump tank, which we saw at Thindlu. Bhavani explained that the youth are the future of water conservation and that starting water education in schools can hopefully shape behavior at home as well.
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