MANAGEMENT OF STORM WATER ON ROADS AND IMPROVEMENT OF GROUND WATER REGIME THROUGH INNOVATIVE RAINWATER HARVESTING IN URBAN AREAS

摘要

The storm water during rainy season causes drainage problem and often roads are damaged by rainfall runoff. This problem is serious in big cities, where most of the open area is covered by roads or some concrete structures without proper drainage. The water on roads during rains remains stagnant for hours together due to poor storm water management and results into erosion of roads,"S.Ramakrishnan". Our major cities are facing water crises due to over exploitation of under ground water and there is no provision for recharge of aquifers. Declining water levels are also consuming more energy in lifting the water and reduction in green coverage. The paper deals with the solution of managing storm water on roads in urban areas and channilizing the same to ground water system in hygienic manner. This method not only helps in controlling the devastating effects of storm water, but would improve ground water regime both in terms of rising of water levels and increase in ground water availability with better quality. The technique will also increase life of roads and reduce cost on maintenance and repairs. Besides, better plant growth is envisaged with less water requirement. The paper highlights rainwater harvesting along both the sides of roads with the help of suitable, simple structures, which are easy to maintain. The concept given in the paper would enhance water availability 8 to 10 times compared to natural process of rainfall infiltration.,"Driscoll, 1987 ,"The hydro informatics in terms of rainfall pattern , rainfall intensity and recharge capacity of sub-surface hydrogeological formations forms main basis in designing such systems, "Karanth K.R."