Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONSERVATION OF WATER FOR FUTURE THROUGH RAINWATER HARVESTING

Sadaf Ahmad And Ahmad Ashfaq

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting is one of the promising ways of supplementing the surface and underground scarce water resources in areas where existing water supply system is inadequate to meet demand. It is one of the measures for reducing impact of climate change on water supplies. Interest in such systems is growing especially in rural area where either rainfall is well distributed through the year or where surface water is absent, groundwater is mineralized and centralized piped supplies are unaffordable. Rainwater harvesting promotes self sufficiency and fosters an appreciation for water as a resource. It saves money, saves other resources of water, reduces erosion and storm water runoff and increases water quality. The issues associated with widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting include economics and technology, water quality & health and water policies, regulations and attitudes. This paper presents the major aspects of rainwater harvesting, so that this technique can be utilized for securing future needs of water.