Power of "Spring cordoning"
In the hills, in rainy season, one can see numerous springs. These springs have varied water potential and life. But, most of the springs yield water up to the end of the rainy season,i.e. about 100 days.
Since, these springs are seasonal, widely dispersed, its potential and utility is often underestimated or at times, completely neglected.
If proper watershed structures are made and cordoning of these springs is done, it has a great potential of providing good quality, potable, clean water throughout the rainy season. It has great potential in Konkan and ranges of Sahyadri (Both east & west slopes) in Maharashtra, since the rainfall is more & assured in this region.
In the cordoning process, a mass concrete wall of appropriate dimensions is built on appropriate location (identified by an expert after actual site study). It stores water and creates pressure on the spring, which results in reducing flow rate of the spring and enhancing life of the spring. We have experience of about three months' enhancement in the life of the spring, if properly cordoned.
By making such structures, we can provide clean, potable water in the hamlets, even in hilly areas. There is no requirement of any kind of energy to operate or maintain these structures. Cleaning of the structure once in a year is sufficient. If properly managed, it works for at least 18-20 years.
To explain the actual potential of a spring and enhancement after cordoning, let us take one example.
A spring having flow rate of 30 liters per minute is very common. Now, with this flow rate, for 100 days, the water potential of the spring will be,
30 liters x 60 (minutes) x 24 (hours) x 100 (days) = 43,20,000 liters every year
Sounds interesting??
Now, when we cordon the spring, it helps in enhancing life of the spring for three months. So, the water potential after cordoning will be,
30 x 60 x 24 x 150 = 64,80,000 liters every year
From a tiny spring of 30 liters per minute water flow, we can get this much quantity of clean, potable, free of cost water every year, for years.
In a village near Lonavala, we have cordoned 11 springs at different locations, few of which have potential up to 100 liters per minute. This has helped villagers in getting potable water in the village, almost for 10 months.
And yet, we are not working smartly in watershed development and are looking for larger projects with more capital, operational and maintenance costs.
Site specific, appropriate watershed development structures are necessary for success. The structures and dimensions changes as per topography, geology, rainfall, usage, etc.
Dr Umesh Mundlye
