Recharge wells, a strategy explained

The projected quantum, 20-fold increase could potentially alter the dynamics of a region that slips into crisis mode every year

“Typically, only 3-8% of the rainfall that Bengaluru gets goes below one metre into the aquifers. Through recharge wells, you can increase it up to 50-60%.”

When Rainwater Club founder Vishwanath S reiterates this with successful case studies, residents of the 110 villages, preparing for another summer assault ought to sit up and take notice. This projected quantum, 20-fold increase could potentially alter the dynamics of a region that slips into crisis mode every year.

Also read: Ensure piped water supply, stress on harvesting

But, as Vishwanath warns, it cannot be a one-way street. “If you put down one lakh litres into the aquifers, as a community you should take only 90,000 litres so that the 10,000 litres act as a buffer and builds up slowly.”

The model to follow was shown by Rainbow Drive, a community of about 400 plots on Sarjapur Road. “They communitised the borewells. They banned individual private borewells, drilled only three to five community borewells and whatever water was received, was shared amongst the community.”

Also read: Recharged aquifers, only solution?

Supply was capped at 20,000 litres per household beyond which it was priced at Rs 120 per kilo litre. “Once they did this, the recharge calculated was much more than what they were drawing.” Digging over 250 recharge wells, ensuring continuous recharge over 8-9 years, the community could revive its dry borewells.

The strategy is this: Shift from private borewells to community borewells, include metering and tariffs, and later on, pick up all waste water, treat and supply it back to the households. This, says Vishwanath, “reduces the net fresh water demand and your recharge will start to kick in.”