Water Harvesting Techniques Research Articles

Design of Dugout Type Farm Pond at the Farm of Chhattisgarh Engineering College, Durg Chhattisgarh

To increase food security in a drought-prone area, the water harvesting, capture and storage of rainwater are technologies proven for uses during dry periods. Erosion control and groundwater revive are extra favorable circumstances of water harvesting techniques that contribute to agricultural development and resource conservation. The contour map of the study area is used to select the location for the creation of the farm pond. Clay loam is found in soil texture analysis. For clay loam soil, the study area with a depth of 3.5 m and a side slope of 1.5:1 may be suitable. The available rainfall was computed for 75% probability by using empirical formula is found to 1.41483 ha-m. The tube well draft was calculated to be 0.8640 ha-m. The capacity of the designed farm pond is 0.6639 ha-m. The proposed pond facilitated total supplemental irrigation of 8.5 cm depth to an area of 6.5 ha paddy.

Modeling Water Supply and Demand for Effective Water Management in the Sana’a Basin in Yemen

Modelling system is the core for the evaluation of water related sectors in the Sana’a Basin. The numerical modelling (MODFLOW) has emerged as an effective tool for managing groundwater resources and predicting future responses, especially when dealing with complex aquifers systems and heterogeneous formations. MODFLOW model has been used herein as a management tool for the targeted sub- basins in Sana’a Basin such (Wadi Bani Hawat, Wadi Dhahr & Al-Ghayl, Wadi Hamdan & As Sabrahand Wadi Ghayman); the most important groundwater resources for domestic and agricultural sectors in Sana’a basin. A conceptual model was designed according to the actual groundwater dynamic flow system in the 2010 Hydrosult Sana’a Basin Model. Also, the governing partial parabolic differential equation was defined, including the vertical conductivity flow between the aquifers. Total groundwater abstraction values from previous studies were compiled, including the 2015 well inventory data of National Water Resources Authority –Sana’a Basin.In this study, three simulations of groundwater development scenarios were distinguished. The first scenario is applied for evaluation of the present status and till 2025. The second and thethird scenarios are focused on the effect of water augmentation i.e. decrease the present rate of groundwater abstraction to 30% and 50% respectively, with considering the highly intervention of IWRM structure of Sana’a basin on the on-going activities related to change land use, change crop pattern, value chain, marketing, modern irrigation techniques, water harvesting techniques, treated waste reuse etc…. Also other Modules were used in calculating the groundwater demand, deficit and unemployment in agricultural sector inSana’a Basin. Scenario 3 gives a remarkable improvement of the water resources system in the four sub-basins within a reasonable period (in the year 2025), thus, it will keep the water resources sustainability; but the unemployment in agricultural sector in Sana’a Basin in scenario 3 will be is the highest value if comparing with the other two scenarios. It will reachin 2025 under scenario 2 and scenario 3 to 10432 and 14762 respectively while in scenario 1 the unemployment will disappeared in 2025. This study is recommended that irrigation systems should be improved, usage of harvesting water methods and treated waste water reuse for agriculture to avoid the depletion of Sana’ Basin aquifer and to reduce unemployment in agricultural sector in Sana’a Basin.
 Keywords: Groundwater Flow Model, MODFLOW, Management Scenarios, Sana’a Basin, Targeted Sub-Basins.

Modeling Water Supply and Demand for Effective Water Management in the Sana’a Basin in Yemen

Modelling system is the core for the evaluation of water related sectors in the Sana’a Basin. The numerical modelling (MODFLOW) has emerged as an effective tool for managing groundwater resources and predicting future responses, especially when dealing with complex aquifers systems and heterogeneous formations. MODFLOW model has been used herein as a management tool for the targeted sub- basins in Sana’a Basin such (Wadi Bani Hawat, Wadi Dhahr & Al-Ghayl, Wadi Hamdan & As Sabrahand Wadi Ghayman); the most important groundwater resources for domestic and agricultural sectors in Sana’a basin. A conceptual model was designed according to the actual groundwater dynamic flow system in the 2010 Hydrosult Sana’a Basin Model. Also, the governing partial parabolic differential equation was defined, including the vertical conductivity flow between the aquifers. Total groundwater abstraction values from previous studies were compiled, including the 2015 well inventory data of National Water Resources Authority –Sana’a Basin.In this study, three simulations of groundwater development scenarios were distinguished. The first scenario is applied for evaluation of the present status and till 2025. The second and thethird scenarios are focused on the effect of water augmentation i.e. decrease the present rate of groundwater abstraction to 30% and 50% respectively, with considering the highly intervention of IWRM structure of Sana’a basin on the on-going activities related to change land use, change crop pattern, value chain, marketing, modern irrigation techniques, water harvesting techniques, treated waste reuse etc…. Also other Modules were used in calculating the groundwater demand, deficit and unemployment in agricultural sector inSana’a Basin. Scenario 3 gives a remarkable improvement of the water resources system in the four sub-basins within a reasonable period (in the year 2025), thus, it will keep the water resources sustainability; but the unemployment in agricultural sector in Sana’a Basin in scenario 3 will be is the highest value if comparing with the other two scenarios. It will reachin 2025 under scenario 2 and scenario 3 to 10432 and 14762 respectively while in scenario 1 the unemployment will disappeared in 2025. This study is recommended that irrigation systems should be improved, usage of harvesting water methods and treated waste water reuse for agriculture to avoid the depletion of Sana’ Basin aquifer and to reduce unemployment in agricultural sector in Sana’a Basin.
 Keywords: Groundwater Flow Model, MODFLOW, Management Scenarios, Sana’a Basin, Targeted Sub-Basins.

Challenges and opportunities for enhancing food security and greenhouse gas mitigation in smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa. A review

Smallholder farmers struggle to achieve food security in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is urgently required to find appropriate practices for enhancing crop production while avoiding large increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in SSA. This review aims to identify common smallholder farming practices for enhancing crop production, to assess how these affect GHG emissions and to identify strategies that not only enhance crop production but also mitigate GHG emissions in SSA. To increase crop production and ensure food security, smallholder farmers usually expand agricultural land, develop water harvesting and irrigation techniques and increase cropping intensity and fertilizer use. These practices may result in changing carbon stocks and GHG emissions, potentially creating trade-offs between food security and GHG mitigation. Agricultural land expansion at the expense of forests is the most dominant source of GHG emissions in SSA. While water harvesting and irrigation can increase soil organic carbon, they can trigger GHG emissions. Increasing cropping intensity can enhance the decomposition of soil organic matter, thus releasing carbon dioxide. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer use can enhance soil organic carbon, but also leads to increasing nitrous oxide emissions. An integrated land, water and nutrient management strategy is necessary to enhance crop production and mitigate GHG emissions. Among the most relevant strategies found, agroforesty practices in degraded and marginal lands could replace expanding agricultural croplands. In addition, water management, via adequate rainwater harvesting and irrigation techniques, together with appropriate nutrient management should be considered. Therefore, a land-water-nutrient nexus (LWNN) approach will enable an integrated and sustainable solution to increasing crop production and mitigating GHG emissions. Various technical, economic and policy barriers hinder implementing the LWNN approach on the ground, but these may be overcome through developing appropriate technologies, disseminating them through farmer to farmer approaches and developing specific policies to address smallholder land tenure issues and motivate long-term investment.

Climate Smart Agriculture techniques as a strategy for Climate Adaptation by Smallholder Farmers in Nkayi District

The study investigates the viability of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques being utilized in communal areas in Zimbabwe as mitigation strategy to the effects of climate change, with particular reference to Wards 18 and 19 in Nkayi District. As their livelihoods are highly dependent on climate-sensitive activities such as rain-fed agriculture, climate change has a significantly negative effect on people's livelihoods in communal areas of this country. Increased temperatures, reduced annual rainfall marked by dry spells in the mid-season, and increased frequency and severity of climate-related hazards such as droughts and El Ninos have been detrimental to the livelihoods of communal farmers. The most important problems facing communal farmers in the Nkayi District as a result of climate change are food shortage, water scarcity and livestock loss. CSA techniques are the solution to this predicament. Conservation Agriculture (CA), small grains production, Water Harvesting Techniques (WHTs), fodder production, small livestock production and seed banks are some of the techniques available to communal farmers. Community-based adaptation to climate change helps to develop communities' capacity to guide climate change adaptation strategies to fix their own challenges and to meet their own needs. Thus, traditional awareness, unique environments, tools and mechanisms for societies to map their own strategies to tackle climate change are taken into account by community-based adaptation. The research thus concludes that CSA techniques are a viable strategy in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Smart rain water harvesting techniques

Smart rain water harvesting techniques

Impact of Fragile Water Management Strategies and Mitigation-A Case Study of Pune City, India

The aim of the study is to know about the impact of water management system on the city of Pune due to the fluctuating monsoon. To achieve this, research study was carried out in exploring the factors which are contributing for this variation in amount of precipitation. For instance, improper urbanization and industrialization in the states such as that of Maharashtra is happening in a haphazard manner owing to the uncontrolled burst in population in the cities and town. To ascertain the impact caused due to heavy rainfall this study was initiated. Data of population of Pune city was collected as it is our study area for research. Based on the analysis it was clear that there is a drastic increment in last three decades. A survey was conducted and responses from people across the city were collected regarding the management of rain water as well as the issues faced during peak rainfall and it was analyzed to evaluate the impact. For analysis and identifying the regions that were most affected, SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) tool has been used. The survey responses collected were analyzed using SPSS and various parameters have been compared to identify the relevant ones. Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the survey it is concluded that in many regions proper rain water management strategies are not adopted and also rain water harvesting technique is not installed. This results in various problems like water logging, traffic congestion and improper drainage. The output obtained is conclusive on identifying the parameters that have crucial impact on the city during monsoons and if corrected, can bring a change in the rain water management strategies adopted and make Pune a better city to live in.

Potential of Road Rainwater Harvesting in Yemen – Its Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits: A Case Study of Sana›a – Hodeida Road, Yemen

Abstract
 In Yemen, farmers and people living along the roads are suffering from the lack of utilization of rainwater runoff from road surface & surrounding area and road water structures. The objectives of this research is to optimize the benefits of Road Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) to the beneficiaries during road design, construction and operation & maintenance; to suggest a technical outlines; to induce the awareness of road’s engineers on the importance of Integrated Water Harvesting Management (IWHM), in addition to discussing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The research approach focused on conducting field visits and applying a reconnaissance survey to document the current and potential road rainwater structures along the pilot section of 24 km as part of Sana’a – Al-Hodiedah road between Al- Masajed village and Sooq Al-Aman; Designing and applying questionnaires and interviews for farmers & beneficiaries, and road engineers. The SPSS software program was used to analyze the collected data. From the conducted interviews along the road, it was revealed that almost all the stakeholders have land adjacent to the roadside, and their farms are irrigated from rainwater collected from road structures. All inhabitants considered water floods running from/on the road surface and structures as their rights, and it is distributed at the moment according to the field’s water rights which exist before the road construction. The research found that almost all farmers considered the water from roads as contaminated water. The source of contamination comes from residual oil on the road, diesel, oil from oil shops and suspended soil particles. On the other hand, according to the road engineer’s questionnaire, the concept of water harvesting, groundwater recharge and water for irrigation from road surface and road structures were not considered during design. In addition, the results obtained showed that water-harvesting techniques in the pilot road section is in the form of farmers’initiatives implemented by directing water to their farms for irrigation. The study conclude applying RRWH to protect the road sections from erosion and damage; increase the availability and utilization of water in the areas nearby roads; minimize the erosion of landscape especially in mountainous areas as well as in road embankments; improve the stabilization of the road slopes; and maintain esthetic value of landscape nearby roads. It is recommended that road drainage structure should be located in a proper place to avoid conflicts among farmers and fulfill their water rights. To avoid soil and water contamination by oil, grease and fuel from vehicles along the road, the research recommends that oil workshops should be implemented and forced to collect and recycle oil instead of disposing it on the road surface. RRWH is recommended to be applied to mitigate the damage of terraces during the heavy runoff. The study urges the joint efforts from all stakeholders and road engineers to apply the suggested technical outline in this paper by including rainwater harvesting from roads as part of road design, implementation and maintenance.
 Keywords: rainwater harvesting, road design, culverts, engineers,stakeholders, farmers, ESIA, Yemen, social and economic benefits.

Potential of Road Rainwater Harvesting in Yemen – Its Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits: A Case Study of Sana›a – Hodeida Road, Yemen

Abstract
 In Yemen, farmers and people living along the roads are suffering from the lack of utilization of rainwater runoff from road surface & surrounding area and road water structures. The objectives of this research is to optimize the benefits of Road Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) to the beneficiaries during road design, construction and operation & maintenance; to suggest a technical outlines; to induce the awareness of road’s engineers on the importance of Integrated Water Harvesting Management (IWHM), in addition to discussing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The research approach focused on conducting field visits and applying a reconnaissance survey to document the current and potential road rainwater structures along the pilot section of 24 km as part of Sana’a – Al-Hodiedah road between Al- Masajed village and Sooq Al-Aman; Designing and applying questionnaires and interviews for farmers & beneficiaries, and road engineers. The SPSS software program was used to analyze the collected data. From the conducted interviews along the road, it was revealed that almost all the stakeholders have land adjacent to the roadside, and their farms are irrigated from rainwater collected from road structures. All inhabitants considered water floods running from/on the road surface and structures as their rights, and it is distributed at the moment according to the field’s water rights which exist before the road construction. The research found that almost all farmers considered the water from roads as contaminated water. The source of contamination comes from residual oil on the road, diesel, oil from oil shops and suspended soil particles. On the other hand, according to the road engineer’s questionnaire, the concept of water harvesting, groundwater recharge and water for irrigation from road surface and road structures were not considered during design. In addition, the results obtained showed that water-harvesting techniques in the pilot road section is in the form of farmers’initiatives implemented by directing water to their farms for irrigation. The study conclude applying RRWH to protect the road sections from erosion and damage; increase the availability and utilization of water in the areas nearby roads; minimize the erosion of landscape especially in mountainous areas as well as in road embankments; improve the stabilization of the road slopes; and maintain esthetic value of landscape nearby roads. It is recommended that road drainage structure should be located in a proper place to avoid conflicts among farmers and fulfill their water rights. To avoid soil and water contamination by oil, grease and fuel from vehicles along the road, the research recommends that oil workshops should be implemented and forced to collect and recycle oil instead of disposing it on the road surface. RRWH is recommended to be applied to mitigate the damage of terraces during the heavy runoff. The study urges the joint efforts from all stakeholders and road engineers to apply the suggested technical outline in this paper by including rainwater harvesting from roads as part of road design, implementation and maintenance.
 Keywords: rainwater harvesting, road design, culverts, engineers,stakeholders, farmers, ESIA, Yemen, social and economic benefits.

Su Hasadı Sistemlerinin Önemi ve Teknikleri

Dünyadaki en kritik yaşam unsurlarından biri olan suyun, etkili kullanımı gün geçtikçe önem kazanmaktadır. Nüfusun durmaksızın artması ve iklim değişiklikleri ile beraber; su kaynaklarının hem tüketim hızı hem de kullanım şekilleri tartışma konusu olmuştur. Bu konulara çözüm getirebilecek yöntemlerden biri de geçmişi çok uzun yıllar öncesine dayanan “Su Hasadı” yöntemidir. Su hasadı; insan, hayvan veya bitkilerin kullanımı için su sağlamak amacıyla, yağışla meydana gelen yüzey akışının toplanması olarak tanımlanabilir. Tekniğin mikro havza boyutunda çatı ve çiftlik sistemleriyle kullanımını görmek mümkünken; makro havza boyutunda ise vadi yatağı ve vadi dışı sistemler kullanılmaktadır. Su kaynaklarının önemli bir kısmını kullanan tarım sektöründe; üretimin devam ettiği kurak ve yarı kurak bölgelere düşen yağmur suyunun büyük bir kısmı, buharlaşma yoluyla veya akışa geçerek verimli bir şekilde kullanılamadan uzaklaşır. Su hasadı tekniğinde ise yağmur suları depolandıktan sonra tarım arazilerine uygulanmak üzere bekletilebilir. Yöntem; buharlaşma veya akış sebebiyle kayıplar yaşanmayacağından toplam sulama suyu miktarını arttıracak ve su kaynakları üzerindeki baskıyı azaltacaktır. Kaynakların yükünü azaltması dışında; toprak erozyonunun önlenmesinde oynadığı rol de yöntemin ana faydalarından biri olarak görülmektedir. Genel olarak uygun coğrafyaya göre uygun yöntem seçildiğinde; su hasadı düşük dış girdili bir yöntemdir ve uygulanması zor değildir. Birkaç istisna dışında, hasat edilen suyu iletmek veya uygulamak için enerjiye ihtiyaç duymaz. Bu çalışmada su hasadı yönteminin; ana unsurları, farklı kullanım alanları ve teknikleri hakkında bilgi verilmektedir.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Water Resources in the Haridwar Region of Uttarakhand, India

Watershed management plays a dynamic role in water resource engineering. Estimating surface runoff is an essential process of hydrology, since understanding the fundamental relationship between rainfall and runoff is useful for sustainable water resource management. To facilitate the assessment of this process, the Natural Resource Conservation Service-Curve Number (NRCS-CN) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were integrated. Furthermore, land use and soil maps were incorporated to estimate the temporal variability in surface runoff potential. The present study was performed on the Haridwar city, Uttarakhand, India for the years 1995, 2010 and 2018. In a context of climate change, the spatiotemporal analysis of hydro meteorological parameters is essential for estimating water availability. The study suggested that runoff increased approximately 48% from 1995 to 2010 and decreased nearly 71% from 2010 to 2018. In turn, the weighted curve number was found to be 69.24, 70.96 and 71.24 for 1995, 2010 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, a validation process with an annual water yield model was carried out to understand spatiotemporal variations and similarities. The study recommends adopting water harvesting techniques and strategies to fulfill regional water demands, since effective and sustainable approaches like these may assist in the simultaneous mitigation of disasters such as floods and droughts.

Water harvesting techniques for improving soil water content, and morpho-physiology of pistachio trees under rainfed conditions

Water harvesting techniques have shown promising outcomes in mitigating risks, increasing yields and delivering positive influences on other ecosystems. A field study was conducted in Northern Jordan to assess the influence of combined in-situ water harvesting techniques, micro-catchment and mulching on soil moisture content, plant morphology, gas exchange [photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)] and midday stem water potential (Ψsmd) of young pistachio (Pistacia vera cv. Ashori) trees. Four mulching treatments [straw, vertical gravel, horizontal gravel and control (no mulching)] and three micro-catchment areas (36, 64 and 100 m2) were used. Pistachio trees were grown under rainfed conditions for two growing seasons. Gravel mulching (vertical and horizontal) and 36 m2 micro-catchment had the highest percentage increase in plant height compared with other treatments. In addition, 36 m2 micro-catchment significantly increased gas exchange variables (Pn, gs, and E). We partially attributed that to higher soil water content and Ψsmd in the 36 m2 compared with 64 and 100 m2 micro-catchment. Interestingly, the runoff water collected from 36 m2 treatment was 75 % higher than 64 m2 (53.4 vs. 30.6 L) and 28 % higher than 100 m2 (53.4 vs. 41.7 L). Therefore, the 36 m2 is the best micro-catchment area in term of runoff efficiency. Overall, the combined water harvesting techniques, gravel mulching (vertical and horizontal) and the 36 m2 micro-catchment hold promise for improving the morphology and physiology of young pistachio trees grown under rain-fed regime.

Evaluating the Effects of In situ Rainwater Harvesting Techniques on Maize Production in Moisture Stress Areas, Humbo Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of some In-situ water harvesting techniques on production of maize with respect to soil moisture content, yield and yield components. It also aimed to assess farmers' perception of water conservation techniques. To achieve these objectives of the study, data were collected through house hold survey and field experiment. The experiment was conducted in Wolaita Zone Humbo Woreda at Abela Sippa kebele, which has an irregular rain fall distribution and has a prolonged dry season which leads to low soil moisture during critical crop growth stages. The study was conducted over a period of one growing season (2017/18) using maize as indicator crop at the farmers training center of the Abela Sippa kebele. The experiment was made in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tieridge and Zai pits . Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were significantly high (p<0.05) at Targa treatments, but plant height was not significantly different. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher at Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Targa treatments increased maize yield to (7.15 t/ha), Tie ridge also significantly increased maize production to (6.19t/ha). Similarly, Zai pits yielded (4.5t/ha) and Control treatment yielded (4.9 t/ha). Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712, and 25164 ha-1) than the Control (20370ha-1) and Zai (14350 ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the rainwater harvesting technology by the community members was a good initiative in improving agricultural practices in periods of water scarcity. However, the utilization of the technology is affected by various constraints. The major constraints include: labor cost, lack of knowledge and types of crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power, and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge).

Effects of Indigenous Cultivation Practices on Soil Conservation in the Hilly Semiarid Areas of Western Sudan

In dry regions, it is customary for farmers to use soil water conservation and/or water harvesting techniques. These practices have now become applicable to agriculturalists combating the adverse effects of drought on food production. In the semiarid areas of Zalingei in western Sudan, we quantified the soil erosion using traditional conservation measures, and conducted experiments in two consecutive rainy seasons (2013 and 2014). A split-split plot design was used to quantify the respective influences of each variable on reducing soil erosion: A) three gentle gradients (Slope1 (0.98%), Slope2 (1.81%), and Slope3 (3.1%)); B) two cropping systems (mono-crop and mixed-crops); and C) five indigenous conservation tillage practices—chisel ploughing (CHP), cross slope tied bonding (CSTB), contour ridge with stone bonds (CRSB), cross slope bonding (CSB), and zero tillage (ZT). Our results showed that there were significant differences between the slopes in season 2 (2014); the soil eroded at Slope3 was more than that of Slope1 and Slope2 by 71% and 27%, respectively. Over two seasons, there were no significant differences between the cropping systems. Conversely, the erosion level observed with CHP was higher than with the other practices. However, the CSTB and CSB erosion levels were only higher in season 2 when compared with those of CRSB and ZT. The study concluded that under the above conditions, the rate of soil erosion was severe and exceeded the erosion tolerance. Based on these results, in western Sudan, CRSB and ZT may be the more effective indigenous conservation practices for the protection of agricultural soils and productivity.

Super-hygroscopic film for wearables with dual functions of expediting sweat evaporation and energy harvesting

Despite the boom in atmospheric water-harvesting techniques, few attempts have been made with a broader horizon–absorbing the moisture from sweatevaporation, which has substantial implications for human comfort and wearable electronics. Herein, a cobalt-complex-based super-hygroscopic material (Co-SHM) is developed to expedite sweat evaporation and fabricate moisture-triggered energy harvesting devices. The Co-SHM features transparent thin-film structure, fast absorption kinetics and high water uptake of 4.6 g g−1. The material regeneration can be driven by natural sunlight, making the Co-SHM an energy-efficient moisture absorbent. Integrating the Co-SHM into breathable and waterproof PTFE membranes, we design new kinds of armpit pad, shoe lining, and insole, which can rapidly absorb the moisture from sweat to prevent sweat accumulation, thereby providing a dry and comfortable microclimate for people. Furthermore, the absorbed sweat can be transduced to energy through a Co-SHM based wearable energy harvesting devices. The harvested energy can power a light-emitting diode. This work holds significant economic potential in the fields of functional clothing, footwear, and wearable electronics.

Assessing the role of rainfall redirection techniques for arresting the land degradation under drip irrigated grapevines

Altering the soil surface features can potentially regulate water and solute movement processes in the soils, and reduce the accumulation of salts in the plant root zone. In this study, HYDRUS-2D was used consecutively for three years (2011–2014) to evaluate the potential impact of different rainfall redirection and water harvesting techniques such as no mounding or control (A), mid-row mounding (B), mid-row mounding covered with plastic (C), and plastic buried in the soil in mid-row (D) on water balance, root zone salinity dynamics, and salt balance in the soil in three grapevine producing regions (Loxton, McLaren Vale, and Padthaway) in South Australia. Simulations covered varied soil, climate, irrigation quality (0.3, 1.2, and 2.2 dS/m), and vine management conditions typical of each region. Seasonal transpiration (Tp), evaporation (Es), and drainage (Dr) accounted for 39–49, 26–44, and 17–25%, respectively, of the total drip irrigation applied to the vineyards across the three locations. Relative to the control, mounding mid-row soils (B) did not significantly alter the water balance at any site; adding an impermeable plastic layer to that mound (C) reduced Es (48–54%), and increased Dr (by two thirds) and Tp (1–16%). A tremendous ameliorative impact of mid-row mounding with plastic (C) was observed in the spatiotemporal salinity dynamics in the soils at all three locations (salt removal efficiency LEs > 1). An increased leaching fraction under the mid-row mounding with plastic (C) led to considerable (up to 14.6 t/ha) salts leaching from the crop root zone, which was double the other treatments. Buried plastic (D) showed slightly better outcomes than the control or mid-row mounding, particularly for seasonal salt leaching in heavy textured soils. Salt removal efficiency (LEs) > 1 in light- and medium-textured soils as compared to heavy-textured soils indicates better salt removal in the former soils. The results demonstrated that the mid-row mounding with plastic is an effective technique to reduce root zone salinity in the drip-irrigated horticultural crops.

Application of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System in North East India

The main source of water, is rain for all life on earth. Rainwater harvesting is the best way to collect rainwater and utilize it effectively. Rainwater harvesting is used as a best method to collect and store water for future needs in water scarcity areas where water is not available throughout the year. This practice is becoming popular over the last few years as many people can no longer rely on the availability of ground water to satisfy their needs. North Eastern States in India experiences heavy rainfall in the country compared to other parts. Hence implementation of Rainwater Harvesting scheme in those regions will be a better choice to store water. A Case study on rainwater harvesting in sloped roof houses available in northeast India is done in this paper. Water scarcity problems can be minimised if rain water harvesting techniques are implemented in all households.

From water abundance to water scarcity: the case of the Chontalpa, Mexico

This article uses original ethnographic data to show how a development program known as Plan Chontalpa failed to extend potable water provision to rural people in Chontalpa, in Tabasco, Mexico. Despite arguably short-term benefits, this large state-led, large-scale hydrodevelopment program created overly large infrastructures and imposed a hierarchical water management regime on previously open-access water resources, negatively impacting the communities it purported to serve. This article demonstrates how, in lieu of the vulnerabilities created by the Plan, residents have resiliently devised their own water management system that combines customary techniques, such as harvesting rainwater, with formal and informal ones. In conclusion, this article insists that water management resilient practices at the household level can teach us alternative ways of decision-making that can transform local development efforts. Keywords: resilience, political ecology, water harvesting technique, household management, hydrodevelopment

Application of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System in North East India

The main source of water, is rain for all life on earth. Rainwater harvesting is the best way to collect rainwater and utilize it effectively. Rainwater harvesting is used as a best method to collect and store water for future needs in water scarcity areas where water is not available throughout the year. This practice is becoming popular over the last few years as many people can no longer rely on the availability of ground water to satisfy their needs. North Eastern States in India experiences heavy rainfall in the country compared to other parts. Hence implementation of Rainwater Harvesting scheme in those regions will be a better choice to store water. A Case study on rainwater harvesting in sloped roof houses available in northeast India is done in this paper. Water scarcity problems can be minimised if rain water harvesting techniques are implemented in all households.

Selection of Rainwater Harvesting Sites by Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of Dawa Sub Basin Southern Ethiopia

Water is one of the vital requirements for life, economic and social development. Water scarcity affects the environmental, economic and developmental activities of an area. The rainfall in the sub-basins is often very local, erratic, unreliable and unevenly distributed over the whole area of Dawa sub-basin. The pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are usually vulnerable to drought. The present study was an attempt to describe the state of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) techniques and the contribution of Remote Sensing and GIS technologies for this RWH in the Dawa Sub basin. The study was conducted using physiographic factors of Dawa sub basin. Landsat image with spatial resolution 30m were used to identify LU/LC types. The thematic layers used were land use/land cover, slope, soil, drainage and runoff from derived from Landsat and collateral data. The image processing software Erdas IMAGINE and GIS software were used to process the image and to establish a geo information system by comprising digital data set of satellite image, topography, soil, metrology, drainage density and metrology. This data was used to study RWH was used to study the watershed network in the Dawa sub basin and to identify areas generally suitable for water harvesting in order to determine water harvesting techniques for those sites. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to calculate weighting and the analysis result indicates that the sub-basin supports promising opportunity for the establishment and development of RWH structures. From the total area of 17,402.7 km², The GIS evaluation predicts that 3,092.342 km² (22.853%) is extremely suitable, 4,524.221 km² (33.435%) is very suitable, 2,968.685 km² (21.939%) is suitable, 1,988.986 km² (14.7%) is less Suitable and 957.18 km² (7.07%) is not suitable for RWH.