In Chetan Soorenji's Mumbai neighborhood, a single borewell once supplied three homes. As more houses were built, borewells had to be dug deeper. This led to water shortages every summer.
His own borewell, originally 30 feet deep, eventually reached 100 feet. But deeper wells brought a new problem: saline, poor-quality water.
"When the borewell was just 30 feet deep, the water tasted so good," he said. "But as the depth increased, the water started to taste saline." This prompted him to find a solution.
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Chetan researched how to reduce salinity. He discovered that rainwater harvesting could raise groundwater levels. His 50-year-old home couldn't be heavily modified, so he found a workaround.
Letting Rain Go Underground
He connected his roof to the 30-foot-deep borewell with a pipe, sending rainwater directly into it. He also built a percolation pit. This allowed roof water to seep into the ground.
Even AC Water Helps
Chetan found another water source. He connected his air conditioner outlet to the pit. This sends about 25 to 30 liters of filtered water there daily during summer.
Two pipes also carry rainwater from vacant land near his home into the ground. This prevents it from going into the drain. Because the system recharges groundwater, he avoids using chemicals in his garden.
Keeping Costs Low
Chetan kept costs down by using pipes and fittings he already had. Apart from building the pit, there were no major expenses for the installation. This made the idea very practical.
The Old Well Returned
"After installing the water harvester, even the old well was recharged and now has water throughout the year," he explained. The system brought life back to a borewell that was once useless.
The Impact Spread
Two neighbors' borewells were also refilled. Nearby springs that had dried up began flowing again. "Today, we can see streams of crystal clear water flowing, like a small rivulet in our backyard now," he added.
A Healthy Garden
His garden now grows passion fruit, coconut, mango, mulberry, jamun, vegetables, and flowering plants. Even in summer, the plants get enough water from the recharged system.
A Mini Forest Upstairs
On the terrace, vines and plants create a mini forest. "We started this while considering a natural and green sun shading for our building," he said. It also helped protect the building from summer heat.
Chetan believes rainwater is the best source of water. "If you can't afford to spend much, then store the water flowing from your roof in a small tank," he shared. "This is an easy but effective way of harvesting rain."
