Rainwater Harvesting with Earth Acting as a Slow Sand Filter in Cold Regions

Zeeshan Mohi Ud Din Ahanger; Heena Manzoor

doi:10.55524/ijirem.2025.12.6.23

Abstract

In India, crop land has become increasingly reliant on groundwater, causing groundwater decline. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) for the aquifer is one potential alternative to addressing the groundwater issue. This is mirrored in a rise in water supply expansion plans. Which includes RWH as a key building component. Assessing the overall impact of these construction projects is crucial to achieving a beneficial net effect on groundwater both economically and within the watershed. As a result, the focus of this analysis is on the meteorological effects of RWH on recharge in rural regions, at both the local (individual structure) and watershed levels. There is relatively limited field data on the claimed positive outcomes at the small scale, and a variety of proposed adverse effects have been identified at the watershed scale. The watershed level is now largely overlooked in field studies and is typically only addressed through modelling. Modelling is seen as a potential method for augmenting constrained data sets, and situation studies will be used to examine possible dangers. Unfortunately, many previous RWH model simulations had a specific scope or were based on insufficient information. To be coupled with increased data gathering, different modelling tools must be established. New opportunities can include growing use of spatial data and improved analytical techniques. In contrast, several test items are suggested to evaluate the meteorological and other impacts of RWH as part of water harvesting at the local and district levels. Additionally, with the Earth acting as a natural filtering material, it will enrich the rainwater with minerals, resulting in water that exhibits freshwater qualities.

Keywords

Rainwater Harvesting, Slow Sand Filtration, Earth Filtration, Cold Regions, Groundwater Recharge, Rooftop Catchment, Runoff Coefficient.

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Cites this article as

Z. M. U. D. Ahanger, H. Manzoor, "Rainwater Harvesting with Earth Acting as a Slow Sand Filter in Cold Regions", International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering and Management (IJIREM), Vol-12, Issue-6, Page No-27-135, 2025. Available from: https://doi.org/10.55524/ijirem.2025.12.6.23