Tapping Rainwater

Uneven rainfall and run off have depleted the ground water in Bengaluru, India, contributing to a groundwater crisis in the region. United Way India and United Way Bengaluru set out to replenish the depleted groundwater levels through effective rainwater conservation. Their “One Billion Drops” Campaign aims to tap and percolate 1 billion liters of rainwater into the ground by the end of 2023. To achieve this, a minimum of 10,000 percolation wells each holding 128,100 liters of rainwater must be constructed across the city. Broadly, this initiative seeks to ensure water security and a sustainable city for communities in and around Bengaluru.

United Way India and United Way Bengaluru collaborated with Kennametal India Ltd. to construct 86 Percolation pits at J.P Park, Bengaluru. They built the percolation pits over the course 90 days, beginning with a ground breaking ceremony in the park. After implementation, the percolation pits increased the water table by 6-meters, conserved otherwise wasted rainwater, and improved water security for surrounding communities. Additionally, The Central Groundwater Board indicates a presence of fluoride beyond a safe limit in the city’s drinking water. Percolation pits help with this by capturing and percolating the rainwater in its purest form which improves the groundwater’s quality.