3rd International Rainwater Cistern Systems Conference
Khon Kaen, Thailand - January, 1987

Section E: Technology

Paper E.4

Technologies for Preventing Seepage and Maintaining Potability of Rainwater in Rural Ponds and Cisterns in India

Dr. J. C. Srivastava
Joint Adviser & Coordinator
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR),
Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001
India

Several villages of India continue to face scarcity of drinking water due to variety of reasons. Women of these villages have to walk long distances to fetch water. Being extremely scarce, any water is consumed overlooking its quality or ill-effects on health. Since annual rainfall is the sole source of fresh water supply, which also varies from year to year, it is of utmost importance that this water is collected, conserved and consumed most appropriately and economically over a longer period of time. While the rural people followed traditional practices of rain-water harvesting in ponds or cisterns, they have always needed efficient, lasting and cost-effective technologies to minimise the seepage losses and maintain the potability of rain water thus collected. Low Density Polyethylene (plastic) film lining of ponds and ferrocement treatment of cisterns have been found socially acceptable and environmentally sound. Integrating these technologies with ongoing rural development schemes has been noted to be more effective in their advancement and application. The paper presents such experiences of Indian 'problem' villages.

PDF of full document available to members (22pp, 930kb)