Community Rain Water Harvesting system by expelling terrace water to open drain channels which are directed towards the stepwell/baoli/floodable plaza. Helping better implement the upcoming rainwater harvesting policy of the city.
Reduction in water accumulation as water in the stepwell is drained first to the underground cross wave tank and post its capacity only is the step-wells capacity utilized, a total of 650 cubic m of capacity.
As the water does not accumulate on the surface, streets, terraces, etc. It prevents any sort of waterborne diseases or unhealthy sanitation situation which currently results in serious health situations and medical conditions for the residents. Better management of stormwater results in better-enabled WASH situations for the neighborhood.
The underground tank and depth of stepwell/baoli allow for better infiltration as the pilot location has a black cotton surface and subsurface soil, which prevents infiltration and promotes water holding. Further, this is relevant in urbanizing cities which are highly concretized and limit infiltration of rainwater.
This infiltration also allows recharge of the rapidly drying ground aquifers and alleviates pressure from the water supply system of the city as now aquifers can be utilized with higher confidence as they are constantly charged.
Lastly, the space created whether a stepwell or a public plaza forms much-required social spaces which are usually lacking in lower-income groups and slum areas. This also helps build a relationship with the project and space allowing for a better rollout to other parts of the city/country.
The project ensures that residents of the slums/Lower Income Group are displaced and doesn't cause disturbance to their fragile daily lives, especially post-pandemic. It not only creates a decentralized stormwater management system but also helps recharge the groundwater which is overused in the pilot location of Indore.
The project costs and its R.O.I. have been kept in mind to be implementable by the cash-strapped municipalities and also help generate revenue in the future through development charges.