Date of Event: 20th January 2026
Organized by: Eco Club
Target Audience: Students and community members

An engaging awareness program on "Rainwater Harvesting" was held on 20th January 2026, aimed at educating students on sustainable water conservation practices. The session, focused on practical knowledge of constructing rainwater harvesting pits and the broader importance of rainwater saving in water-scarce regions like Tamil Nadu.

The program began with an interactive presentation highlighting the water crisis, groundwater depletion, and the role of rainwater harvesting in recharging aquifers. Participants learned the step-by-step process to build a rainwater harvesting pit:

1. Site Selection: Choose a permeable area near downspouts, away from foundations.
2. Excavation: Dig a pit (typically 4-6 ft deep, 3-4 ft wide) with sloped sides for stability.
3. Filtration Layers: Line the bottom with gravel (coarse to fine layers), followed by sand and a filter media to trap debris.
4. Inlet and Overflow: Connect roof gutters to the pit via PVC pipes; install an overflow pipe to excess water.
5. Covering: Seal with a concrete slab or mesh for safety and mosquito prevention.

Hands-on demonstrations using models reinforced these steps, empowering students to replicate the pit at home or school. A live demo showcased how harvested rainwater percolates into the soil, preventing runoff and pollution.

The importance of rainwater saving was emphasized through key points:

• Recharges Groundwater: Augments natural reserves, reducing reliance on borewells.
• Cost-Effective: Low-cost setup saves on water bills and supports agriculture.
• Environmental Benefits: Mitigates flooding, conserves energy (less pumping), and promotes biodiversity.
• Policy Alignment: Supports Tamil Nadu's mandatory rainwater harvesting norms and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Over 100 students actively participated, asking questions and pledging to implement harvesting systems. The program concluded with a quiz, certificate distribution, and sapling plantation around the venue.

Key Outcomes:

• Students gained practical skills in pit construction.
• Heightened awareness on water conservation.
• Inspired community-level adoption of rainwater harvesting.