Date:
04/08/2024
Members
visited: Rajani, Bhavani, Amulya, Ruchitha, Ruthu, Trisha and Taabish.
We had the opportunity to embark on
a fascinating field visit to Devanahalli Sihineerukere lake, open well in
Hunasamaranahalli and rainwater harvesting at Sonnappanahalli Government
School. This journey not only offered a glimpse into an essential water
resource but also provided valuable insights into the complexities of water
management practices.
During the visit, we met 26 students
and 4 leaders from the TYCIA Foundation who had travelled to Bangalore as part
of their Leadership Program, focusing on Bengaluru’s water situation and
conservation efforts. The students who participated were from countries such as
South Africa, the USA, Nepal, Lebanon, and Madagascar. The visit was expertly
coordinated by Bhavani and Rajani from Biome Environmental Trust.
About
TYCIA
Turn Your Concern Into Action (TYCIA) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2011. It adopts a holistic approach to creating meaningful change, focusing on marginalized and often overlooked communities. TYCIA's initiatives range from training programs for tribal farmers to customized educational solutions for incarcerated youth. Through these efforts, the foundation is dedicated to empowering vulnerable sections of society by providing equitable, quality opportunities to bridge social inequalities.
Sihineerukere Lake, Devanahalli
An open well is a basic hole in the
ground that provides access to underground water. These wells draw water from
the shallowest level in the area, usually found in unconfined shallow aquifers.
These aquifers are layers of soil or rock close to the surface where water is
stored without pressure. Shallow aquifers are replenished when rain or surface
water percolates down into them, a process known as recharge. The water levels
in these aquifers can rise and fall depending on how much water flows in or out.
Lakes in Bengaluru, once the main source of drinking water, now receive 2.1 million liters per day (MLD) of treated wastewater from Bengaluru, which is pumped into several lakes in Devanahalli, including Sihineerukere, through the HN Valley Project. An open well next to the lake, with a depth of 30 feet, receives natural water and has the potential to yield up to 1.5 lakh litres of water daily.
What we learned about
Rain
Gauge
A rain gauge is a tool used to measure how much rain falls
over a certain period. It typically consists of a cylindrical container with a
funnel that directs the rain into a measuring tube. The amount of collected
rainwater is then measured in millimetres or inches, providing an accurate
reading of precipitation levels.
TDS
(Total Dissolved Solids)
A TDS meter measures the amount of dissolved solids in
water. These solids can include salts, minerals, and organic matter.
UV
Disinfectant Tank
A UV disinfectant tank uses ultraviolet (UV) light to purify
water by killing or inactivating microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and
protozoa. UV disinfection is an effective and chemical-free method of treating
water.
How it works: Water enters the UV
disinfectant tank and passes through a chamber that houses the UV light source.
As the water flows through the chamber, it is exposed to UV light at a specific
wavelength (typically 254 nanometres), which penetrates the cells of
microorganisms, effectively inactivating them.
Hunasamaranahalli open well
Our next stop was at the Hunasamaranahalli Open Well, located opposite the Academy of Aviation and Engineering. Hunasamaranahalli, located 22 kilometres from Bengaluru, is a small town within the Yelahanka taluk of the Bengaluru Urban District in Karnataka. The Hunasamaranahalli Town Municipal Council (TMC) was established on March 26, 2021, by merging the gram panchayats of Hunasamaranahalli and Sonnappanahalli.
This well, originally dug by a
farmer 70-80 years ago to irrigate agricultural fields, has a diameter of 24
feet and a depth of 60 feet. Initially, the well's stone lining was only at the
bottom 20 feet and the top 13 feet, starting from the parapet level. In the
past 5-6 years, improvements were made, including clearing vegetation by the
nearby Legend Hill View Apartment and repair work by Hotel Arna. The parapet
wall was repaired, and the stone lining was extended an additional 10 feet in
depth and also was beautified by warli art. This well now provides
approximately 1.5 lakh litres of water daily to the TMC, which pumps it to a
sump tank near the Sonnappanahalli Panchayat office for distribution to areas
such as Shaktinagar, Muneshwar Camp, and nearby wards.
Rainwater harvesting
at Sonnappanahalli Govt School
Our final visit was to the
government school at Sonnappanahalli, which has a student capacity of 350 and a
daily water demand of 5,000 litres. Under ITC Limited’s CSR initiative, a
rainwater harvesting setup was implemented to create a sustainable water conservation
model for the surrounding community.
Rainwater Harvesting System
Rooftop
runoff is collected through 4-inch diameter pipelines, with the initial runoff
being deposited directly into the ground using a manual valve. A Y-joint
prevents debris from entering the filter, which diverts water into a reject
pipe. The remaining rainwater is collected in a harvesting pit layered with
larger stones, charcoal, and smaller aggregates. The setup’s underground sump
is designed to accommodate 12,000 litres. It is 20 feet deep and 4 feet in
diameter, with capacity based on the region’s average rainfall.
The school’s backyard well, which supplies 50,000 litres
daily after rejuvenation, has been polluted by contaminants from nearby
neighbourhood soak pits.
The Anganwadi buildings,
located beside the school, were also modified with sloped terraces and a
parapet wall to prevent rainwater from flowing across the building's external
walls. This modification helps prevent prolonged exposure to water and allows for
rainwater collection. Additionally, taps in the school were fitted with
aerators to regulate water usage.
(Image
source: urbanwaters)
Key Learnings
- Groundwater Recharge helps contribute to the
replenishment of groundwater levels when managed properly, allowing
rainwater to percolate and recharge the aquifer.
- There is great environmental impact using rainwater
reduces the demand on traditional water sources, supports sustainable
water use, and helps manage stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of
flooding and erosion.
- Community participation in
rainwater harvesting systems can be implemented at individual, community,
or institutional levels, promoting water conservation and increasing local
water availability.
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