TIHAR JAIL

 
TIHAR JAIL'S RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM
 
RAINWATER AVAILABLE FOR HARVESTING
Total area (Ward 1 and Ward 13): 4125 square meters (Sq m)
Average annual rainfall in Delhi: 611 millimeters (mm)
Total volume of water harvested: 1280 cubic meter (m³) or 12,80,000 litres
This represents 50.78 per cent of total rainwater harvesting potential.
 
WATER SUPPLY SOURCE 
Water supply in these wards is fulfilled by two borewells located inside the jail premises. 
 
RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM
Rooftop rainwater and runoff from unpaved areas:
Ward 1
In Ward 1, the rooftop rainwater from the barracks and the surface runoff from the unpaved area are collected in a low-lying area between the buildings. This water is collected by a collection chamber measuring 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m, which is covered by a perforated RCC slab. The water collected in the chamber is diverted to recharge well measuring 1m x 1m x 2m with a recharge bore of 150mm diameter and 10m deep. The recharge well is filled with layers of pebbles and coarse sand, which act as filtering media to improve the quality of the water harvested.
Ward 13
The rooftop rainwater from the buildings and the surface runoff from the open areas are collected in a low-lying area located at southwest corner of the ward. This water is collected in a collection chamber measuring 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m, which is covered by a perforated RCC slab. The water collected in the chamber is diverted to a recharge well measuring 1m x 1m x 2m in size with a recharge bore of 150mm diameter and 10m deep. The recharge well is filled with layers of pebbles and coarse sand, which act as filtering media to improve the quality of the water harvested.
The implementation was completed in November 2002 and the water level on February 2003 was recorded at 9.40m below ground level (bgl).
The cost of the entire rainwater harvesting system was Rs 0.2 lakh
 
IMPACT
 
Water level data
 
Thsi project demonstrated that rainwater harvesting can help solve the problem of water logging. Tihar Jail's barracks used to remain flooded for hours after every rainfall. The water level in the jail was 14m below ground level (bgl) in April 2003. Concerned with flooding in the barracks and with sharply declining water levels in the area, the Tihar Jail authorities decided adopt rainwater harvesting in Central Jail No. 4. 
 
RESULTS OF MONITORING

  • Water level trend 2003-2010 
  • Water level 2006   
  • Water level 2005
  • Water quality 2005 
  • Water level 2003-2004
  • Water quality 2004 

Water level trend 2003-2010

 

Water level 2006

   

Water level 2005

Water quality 2005

 

Water level 2003-2004

Water quality 2004

 


For details: 
C.R. Garg
Deputy Inspector General
Central Jail No 4, Tihar Jail
New Delhi
Telephone: (011) 28520398