Basic concepts of groundwater recharge techniques, aquifers, artificial recharges, types of hydrogeological setup and properties were discussed at a three-day training program on Water & Wastewater Management in Rural Areas conducted by Centre for Science & Environment, (CSE) Neemli, Rajasthan campus from January 31, 2023 to February 02, 2023. On Day 1 a discussion was initiated on decision making for Ground Water Recharge and Designing of Recharge Structures. The session dwelt upon the reasons for ground water crisis and what can be done to overcome this situation. This was followed up by taking up the topic of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) and its components.

These included a. Conveyance System-Down pipes, Storm Water Drains; b. De-silting Chambers; c. Filter chambers and filter materials; d. Storage tanks and e. Recharge wells
On Day 2, the topic under discussion was Introduction to Geographic Information System & Remote Sensing for Water Management and Ground water Recharge. Classroom discussions were held on introduction to Geographic Information System and how can GIS be used for water management A detailed discussions on criteria for suggesting different techniques with the help of GIS were done. This was followed by Introduction to Q-GIS and with importing of data (Bhuvan website), thematic maps, geo-referencing of maps was taught with demonstration.
There was a shift in the theme on day 3 wherein Greywater treatment and reuse at household, community and village level was taken up. Topics from point of source to point of treatment were thrashed threadbare and these included:
• Centralised systems – Waste stabilization ponds/Constructed wetlands/DEWATS/SBT etc.
• Semi-centralized systems – Community plantation /Community leach pit
• Decentralised systems – Kitchen Garden/Soak pit/Leach pit &
Conveyance of Greywater. It was stressed that for grey water to be treated through centralised systems conveyance systems need to be established.
On February 3, to understand onsite construction, a field visit was conducted and the structures visited included Rain water Harvesting, Soil Bio Technology, DEWATS with conveyance system. The last exercise was presentation of village level plan for waste water treatment by teams.