Save Every Drop: Simple Ways to Replenish Groundwater Amid El Niño Conditions

As El Niño conditions raise concerns over rainfall deficits and declining groundwater levels, environmental experts are urging households to conserve water and help replenish the earth. Instead of allowing used water to go to waste, households can filter suitable wastewater and reuse it for gardening or allow it to seep into the ground through appropriate recharge systems. Even if every household helps return at least 10 litres of water to the soil each day, the combined contribution could make a significant difference. Experts stress that careful water use and conservation are essential until rainfall conditions improve.

With reduced rainfall, inadequate recharge of lakes and ponds, and increased dependence on borewells, groundwater levels are under pressure. Simple measures such as directing rooftop rainwater into unused borewells after installing a proper filter, constructing recharge pits filled with layers of stones, gravel and sand, and creating shallow gravel-filled trenches around buildings can help water percolate into the soil. However, recharge systems must be designed carefully to prevent contamination, and trenches should be kept away from building foundations and pillars. Experts emphasise that every household can contribute to groundwater conservation through practical, low-cost measures.