Rainwater Harvesting: Why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

The above paragraph makes little sense at the first read but therein lies an important message. Our minds are conditioned to read every line beginning from left to right, hence as we search the beginning of a new line, we hop our eyes over to the left. Let us take another pass at the paragraph, only this time let us read it more naturally, continuing to the line below from where the top line ends… like the meandering flow of water.

The reason why our minds struggled in the first attempt is because we are conditioned to read in a certain manner and our minds predictably expect the ordering of words to confirm with our expectations. This conditioning of our minds puts us in a comfort zone and restricts our minds from needing to do the hard work of exploration.

This conditioning of the mind impacts every aspect of our life and so is the case with Rainwater Harvesting efforts where a lack of critical thinking or out-of-box problem solving can very often result in rainwater harvesting systems structure design that is not just unnecessarily costly but also low in efficacy and durability.

From our years of experience and research in the field of rainwater harvesting, here are some common examples of how and why some designs are sub-par and often fail.

The most common perception about soil and ground water is that there is a thick layer of dry soil on the top and underneath this lies a space filled with water. The line demarcating them is indicating the ground water level. This imagination leads an inexperienced harvester to focus only on vertical rainwater harvesting, whereby he aims at making an arrangement by which the rainwater can directly be diverted from the surface and made to merge with the ground water underneath.

For this purpose, the designer inserts a set of pipes into a bore hole with few slots only in the last section of the pipe (first to be inserted) and thereafter focuses on collecting and diverting the rainwater through some filter system into the slotted pipe for a free fall and get released from the slots deep down in order to start recharge process as close to water table as possible.

Failure prone slotted-pipe rainwater harvesting systems

In practical scenarios, this sort of a design either fails or is too expensive to build and operate (see details). The main reason is that the slots in the vertical pipes get choked by the suspended silt entering the pipe along with the rainwater. This necessitates the construction of a silt removal tank or a decantation chamber, which is not just adding to the cost of the design but also increases the chances of failure due to silting in chamber itself.

Very often, we see these failed designs being repeated as people assume that a more expensive system with a complicated design will be superior in features and performance. Rainwater harvesting systems are meant to support natural processes and thus complicated designs are more likely to fail than succeed.

Failure prone design: Using slotted-concrete pipe for RWH

An inexperienced approach tells one that any pit dug into the ground and fitted with cement rings with slots will be a good recharge structure since the rings will prevent collapse of the hollow pit and the rain water which fills the pit will come in contact of the soil through the slots the water will be absorbed by the soil.

The fact is that such a structure is sure to collapse since the water going out of the slots will first help silt to get suspended and thereafter flow back into the hollow pit. This will ultimately lead to not just the refilling of the hollow pit with sand but also create hollow space outside the cement rings and then the collapse of structure.

A collapsed rain water harvesting structure

Similarly, there is a misperception that rainwater should somehow be filtered before it is put to any use or even stored. This leads designers to construct complicated silt removal chambers that attempt to remove silt from rainwater before letting the water pass into the slotted pipe into the ground. This effort is not only adding to the cost of the structure but is also increasing the chances of failure since most de-silting chambers get choked and fail leading to failure of rainwater harvesting system as a whole.

Furthermore, some rainwater harvesting systems are fitted with steel sieves for proper filtration of silt. Such systems choke even faster and may not last for even a single monsoon. The plain fact is that there is nothing in rainwater which needs to be or can be filtered by stainless steel wire mesh filters. The dissolved soluble substances if any, cannot be filtered by these filters and the suspended silt or plastic etc. will itself choke these filters.

We at SILVERON understand the limitations created by such conventional designs and poorly considered approaches to rainwater harvesting. We are always discussing and experimenting with new ideas to make the recharge process more effective, simpler and economical.

SILVERON’s design of rainwater harvesting recharge shafts give equal emphasis on horizontal and vertical rainwater harvesting. In view of the fact that within the soil strata at different depths there are columns which have the capacity to absorb, hold and transfer water laterally while the gravitational pull is naturally pulling the water downwards to the water table. Giving rainwater the opportunity to be absorbed both horizontally and vertically without obstacles ensures that rainwater recharge starts from root zone itself.

SILVERON’s Rainwater Harvesting Structures promote horizontal and vertical groundwater recharge

This means that with their simple and efficient design, SILVERON shafts work year after year without choking simply because the design is free of any potential choke points.

Years of experimentation, understanding & experience has led our team to design and develop artificial ground water recharge systems which are both cost effective and top of the ladder in performance and durability. A testament to our success is that thousands of SILVERON shafts are installed at multiple locations in India without a single failure. 

Simpler designs call for some out-of-the box thinking and based on years of experience, understanding and exposure, SILVERON provides rainwater harvesting systems that are high in performance, durable and cost effective.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve – An Ecological Climax

The Ranthambore National Park is situated at the confluence of Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges i.e. the Great Boundary Fault in Northwestern India. It is a unique and highly bio-productive terrestrial ecosystem that enables all levels to optimally sustain life. In this ecological wonderland, The Royal Bengal Tiger  flourishes in its best form.

Tiger near water at Ranthambore National Park
A Royal Bengal Tiger spotted during a Silveron site visit at Ranthambore National Park.

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve situated within the park is the western-most habitat of the majestic Tiger in the Indian subcontinent. The park is spread over 1700 km2 spanning Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Tonk & Bundi districts of the Indian state of Rajasthan.

The park is bounded by the Chambal river in the west, which is one of the least polluted perennial rivers in the world. The seasonal rain-fed Banas river bisects the park. With the passage of geological time the Aravalis, one of the oldest mountain systems of the world, have weathered to yield more soils. On the other hand the comparatively younger Vindhyas have withered much less and support the growth of unique flora in the region.

This rich landscape is a major hub of biodiversity. It is home to viable populations of six species of predator cats (Tiger, Leopard, Desert Cat, Jungle Cat and Fishing Cat). Large populations of Jackal, Wolf, Hyena, wild dogs and marsh-crocodiles also rule over a food-chain with over 40 mammal species, including spotted deers & rare antelopes (such as Black-Buck, Chinkara and Blue bulls), 320 bird species, 40 species of reptiles and 402 species of plants.

Not so long ago, there existed many such forests along the foothills of Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges. Unfortunately, owing to human population pressure and interference many such habitats have been lost.

It is worth noting that because of positive human intervention, the plateau of Ranthambore forest remains as the only big expanse of dry deciduous Anogeissus Pendula forest in India.

Large Anogeissus Pendula forest at Ranthambore

Modern conservation adopts the approach that natural forests should be left alone since it is a self-sustaining ecosystem. However, by artificially limiting the area for natural expansion and growth of forest cover, human activities continue to hamper nature reserves.

This can be observed by the ever increasing number of villages and settlements not just along the boundaries of forest reserves but also squeezing into forest areas for fodder and space.

In this era of nature conservancy, humans are still forcing increasing animal populations to get confined in smaller areas where they may become vulnerable and extinct due to natural infections, diseases and even greater competition for food and water.

Tiger Conservation at Ranthambore

Ranthambore is known for its large population of the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. During the past few years, there has been a steady increase in the Tiger population in Ranthambore where the present tally is around 55. 

This has been possible due to the multi-fold, dedicated efforts of the forest administration, use of modern surveillance technologies across the reserve, and continuous manual monitoring including fortnightly stock taking of wild animals.  

The sincerity, commitment, passion and emotional attachment of the forest officials to this noble endeavor can be seen from top officials to the frontline forest guards posted round the clock at various check posts (Nakas) deep in the forest reserve.

The growing tiger density in Ranthambore forest has already paved the way for relocating some tigers to strengthen tiger populations in other reserves such as Sariska & Mukundra in Alwar & Kota districts of Rajasthan.

Ranthambore’s Climate, Topography and Water Crisis

The Park has a dry climate with three well defined seasons – summer, winter and monsoon. The hot & dry summer months last from March to June with maximum temperatures around 45℃, negligible relative humidity and hot dry winds. Winter generally lasts from late October till February with the temperature often ranging below 10 ℃ to 20℃. The monsoons with average annual rainfall of 800mm and about 35 rainy days per year, last from July to September.

The park landscape varies dramatically from the vertical slopes (cliffs & knolls) to the sharp and pointed hills as the geography changes from Vindhyas to Aravali ranges.

The park has an approximate elevation ranging between 300-500 meters above mean sea level with mostly rugged and hilly terrain. The Aravalis have ridges on one side and gentle slopes on the other with few small plateaus and valleys. Gazella Peak, the highest peak of the Vindhyas, has an elevation of 507 m. 

The top tableland, locally called Daang & valleys called Kho are prominent geo-features dotted with springs & geysers. These valleys are the richest wildlife areas of the reserve making them favorite spots for the tigers.

Most of the narrow, seasonal monsoon-fed water streams are very short lived. The streams flowing in the northern tract drain into the Banas river and ones on the southern tract drain directly into the Chambal river.

The deep, long and narrow gorges created due to erosion caused by these short-lived streams has created ravines that are prominent features valuable in enhancing the flora and fauna of the region.

Water scarcity for wildlife in long dry-spells and peak summer months is a cause of serious concern for forest officials. This is especially critical for territorial predators such as Tigers and animal groups that cannot migrate large distances in search of water.

Solving the Water Crisis with SILVERON 

On the official invitation of Sh. Arbind Kumar Jha, Asst. Conservator of Forests at the Ranthambore National Park, our CEO Sh. Sunil Sharma visited the Tiger Reserve on Oct. 24-25th, 2020. The purpose of this visit was to understand the landscape and explore possibilities for water conservation to combat scarcity of water for wildlife especially during peak summer months.

The early morning session gave a general feel of the forest and as luck would have it the day began with these lovely welcome sights. 

Royal Bengal Tiger spotted after a hunt
Royal Bengal Tigers dominating the Ranthambore landscape
A majestic Royal Bengal Tiger spotted up close

The afternoon was spent touring interiors of the deep forest to gather insights on the scale of water scarcity and possible remedies.

The forest area calls for proper water management to ensure enhanced quantity of available water. This includes hydro-geological studies, stage-wise implementation of solutions and evaluation extending over multiple monsoons. It is also important that only minimal intervention is made and that too only in support of the existing natural systems.   

At SILVERON we firmly believe that rainwater is an invaluable local resource and every effort must be made to manage, recharge and effectively use the water where it falls. Since fresh water becomes scarce, the logical approach would be to effectively control and utilize rainwater as far as possible before it is lost to runoff.  

Based on observations from the site visit, here are recommendations we are working on developing:

  1. Developing Bunds: The park is situated in a low-rainfall region with thin alluvium. The hilly terrain and steep to mild slopes facilitate rapid rainwater runoff. It is important to identify sites and make intermittent hurdles in the flow path using available stones and bush across small gullies and streams. 
Bund for water conservation
Bund constructed with locally-available rocks

The spacing between these bunds will be decided by soil permeability and angle of slope at each site. The bunds must be closer on steeper slopes where permeability is less. This will prevent flowing water from attaining erosive velocity thereby conserving soil moisture.

The accumulation of small quantities of water behind the bund also facilitates percolation wherever possible. This technique allows harnessing rainwater locally and reduces erosion through runoff. 

  1. Recharging through abandoned bore wells: The park has a number of bore wells that were abandoned due to non-availability of water. These boreholes can be re-developed into groundwater recharge structures. Small streams flowing nearby can be guided towards such boreholes. 

Rainwater percolating through these structures would find fractures at various depths and develop flow paths to enrich groundwater levels.

  1. Rejuvenating Shallow Dug Wells: A number of shallow dug wells are scattered throughout the forest. These wells get their water through percolation from rock fractures and water levels in them keep declining in the post monsoon months.

These dug wells, some even managing to retain water throughout the year, are an important lifeline for wildlife. Each such well should be numbered and monitored on a monthly basis to ensure effective use of waterstock.

Dilapidated shallow wells should be restored, de-silted and cleaned to increase their holding volumes and prevent collapse. Further, repaired dug wells should be covered using secure frames and strong wire mesh to prevent these wells from becoming safety hazards for thirsty animals.

New well locations can be identified on the downstream side to collect and preserve more rainwater before run-off.

  1. Rainwater Collection and Transportation: During monsoons, surface water is plentiful in small or large ponds and depression areas specially on the down stream side. This water can be effectively transported and used in times of need.

The forest does not have tall trees and the major fire risk is from dry grass on the ground. This threat is especially severe seasonally during the long dry-spells. 

Water tankers can be placed at designated Nakas to transport water to locations running short of water.  These tankers can be especially useful to extinguish bushfires or other emergency uses. 

Tanker for transporting water

This technique improves availability of emergency water supply and reduces stress on natural reservoirs especially during the dry season.

  1. Adopting solar water pumps: Replacing diesel pumps at wells with solar water pumps would also go a long way in reducing pollution, noise and wastage of water. With set levels, solar pumps can be programmed to extract only limited quantities of water each day. 

The extra generated power can be leveraged to deliver water via pipelines to other areas or to higher locations for storage or pumping.

In the first phase, SILVERON offers to provide Ranthambore National Park services of their experts, material and manpower at no-cost to design & demonstrate methods of recharging abandoned boreholes and rejuvenate & equip existing wells with solar pumps. 

This effort is a reflection of our commitment to conserving India’s natural biodiversity and the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Eco-friendly Rainwater Harvesting Ponds

SILVERON’s unique design for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge

Land surfaces are uneven. After a rain shower, rainwater can often be observed to flow from higher ground to low-lying areas. As rainwater flows, it collects suspended silt and salts from the soil and accumulates at low points – as puddles, ponds, lakes, streams or even around urban infrastructure such as roads, housing societies and underpasses.

These pools of rainwater are a common sight during the monsoons. They spread over a large area making evaporation easy and quick. This evaporation leaves behind the silt and salts to quickly deposit on the ground in that area.

As this cycle repeats, monsoon after monsoon, gradually the low land becomes hard and non-permeable leading to 100% loss of collected rainwater by way of evaporation.

To help conserve rainwater, we at SILVERON decided to identify such natural locations where water collects and also map the flow path of rainwater coming into these locations.

Thereafter, we worked on remodeling the landscape such that the area available for water to spread and lost due to evaporation is reduced. We enhanced the water holding capacity of the selected spot by excavation.

From our experience and insight, we know that merely building a pond to collect rainwater is not sufficient for rainwater harvesting. This is because the surface of the freshly dug pond would allow percolation of water for one or two monsoons and saturate after that, becoming hard and impermeable.

To continue using these ponds year after year for rainwater harvesting and for helping improve soil-moisture & groundwater levels, we installed SILVERON recharge shafts within this pond. This ensures that the water isn’t merely collected but also finds an artificial pathway to enrich the underground aquifer.

Rainwater Harvesting Shaft installed at the base of a recharge pond.

We recognized that rainwater flowing freely through fields and farms over large distances tends to gather considerable quantities of silt that is the finest particles of soil that get suspended in rainwater. This silt eventually starts filling up the ponds each year.

Silt accumulation is an unavoidable, natural phenomenon that can over the years cause rainwater harvesting systems to degrade in performance. SILVERON designed a novel system for silt-removal that sits in the flow-path of the water just before it enters the pond. The flowing water is channeled through a silt removal tank and enters the pond only through the windows in its walls.

In this unique design, even if the silt removal tank fills to the brim, it would not hamper the flow of water into the main pond through its windows placed at a slightly lower level. Once inside the pond, water flows down over a stone pitched slope. This helps reduce its velocity and increases the deposition of any remaining silt as the base of the slope.

Thereafter the water fills the pond and gets absorbed into the recharge shafts by the holes on the side of the shaft.

The unique highlight of this SILVERON Rainwater Harvesting system design is that it does not confront nature or go against natural principles at any stage. This system stands as testament to SILVERON’s core design philosophy that is to support natural processes and work with nature to recharge groundwater. Ingenious designs for durable Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge systems are a hallmark of SILVERON’s success.

SILVERON’s site-specific designs of Rainwater Harvesting systems recharge the groundwater aquifers and simultaneously enrich the root zone with moisture supporting trees, shrubs and foliage to grow.

Increased moisture content in the topsoil and vegetation raises the humidity in the air that in turn helps in the survival of diverse interdependent friendly organisms like bacteria and earthworm etc living both over and below the soil surface.

The vegetation generated by this enriched root zone forms a network of roots helping check soil erosion and improve plant and animal life.

This SILVERON project demonstrates the significance of developing ponds in the low lying area with recharge shafts in appropriate numbers to allow rain water to flow into the pond during rains and enrich the groundwater levels. 

The SILVERON Recharge Shaft

The ever-increasing population, urbanization, industrialization and rise in agricultural activity are major reasons for growing water demand. Rapid decline in the water table can be attributed to over exploitation of ground water resources for meeting these demands.

The basic purpose of artificial recharge of groundwater is to replenish water into aquifers that have depleted due to excessive groundwater extraction. Artificial groundwater replenishment systems involve techniques that modify the natural movement of surface water and use civil construction methods to enhance the sustainable yield of groundwater in areas where over extraction has depleted underground aquifers.

SILVERON’s dedicated team led by Sunil Sharma started experimentation to determine the various factors affecting groundwater conditions such as thickness of alluvium, depth to rock, the extent and depth of aquifer and quality of ground water. The team conducted several Geophysical Vertical Electrical Soundings  in the targeted areas.                                          

In our earlier blog Geophysical Survey: An essential tool for Rainwater Harvesting, we discussed the importance of variations in soil formation and presented sample data from our records showing major variations in ground strata.

Explains Ground Resistivity Tests for Rainwater HArvesting
Clockwise from top left: (a) Soil-Layers cross-sec view (b) Team SILVERON performs Ground Resistivity Test (c) snapshot of Soil Resistivity Testing and (d) Imaginary Ground Profile Illustration

Geophysical measurements are based on the fact that subsurface consists of a sequence of distinct layers of finite thickness. Each layer is assumed to be electrically homogeneous and isotropic and the boundary planes between layers are assumed to be horizontal.

Lessons from Field Experiments

Based on the Geophysical Survey and analysis of soil samples obtained from various depths while drilling trial bores using a Rotary drilling machine, it was observed that the changing compositions of soil components are very diverse. The soil strata keeps changing as we drill deeper into the earth and we are likely to encounter some layers that absorb more water, some which absorb less and some which absorb no water.

Since it is impossible to modify this naturally occurring soil strata, hence the research team came to the conclusion that for rain harvesting, Diameter of the recharge bore has less meaning while its depth is more important.

Team SILVERON also studied existing rainwater harvesting designs and observed that most structures had worked well in the initial months but gradually their efficiency reduced, and water started stagnating in the structures. This happened as most existing structure designs were not in line with natural laws but rather attempted forcing water absorption against natural processes.

The conclusion drawn was that for rain harvesting, supporting natural process is a sure path to success while going against nature is a recipe for failure.  

In view of the above valuable lessons, Sunil Sharma and his team started experimenting with multiple design ideas to be able to develop an Eco-friendly shaft design which would recharge the ground water in a sustainable way closest to the natural recharge process.

The Vision

SILVERON’s dream was to create a Rainwater Harvesting System that recharges ground water aquifers and simultaneously enriches the root zone with moisture supporting trees, shrubs and foliage. The vegetation generated by this enriched root zone forms a network of roots, binding the soil together to check soil erosion and provide fodder for animals.

Increased moisture content in the top soil and vegetation raises the humidity in the air that in turn helps in the survival of diverse interdependent friendly organisms like bacteria and earthworm etc living both over and below the soil surface.                                   

The conceived design would allow water to flow down an unlined borehole in direct contact with soil starting from the root zone. This matches the natural process where the rainwater is not flowing through artificial ducts such as a failure-prone slotted pipe system .

An Ingenious Design

We had determined that the soil profile is not uniform and there are layers of varying composition, porosity & permeability. It is conceivable that in the natural process, rain water on the surface would runoff since it was the easiest path and droplets which percolated into the ground due to gravity encounter other obstacles in the flow that may delay movement and point of contact with groundwater.

Slow Natural Ground Water Recharge

To facilitate both vertical and horizontal flow of water across the varying permeability of soil strata, SILVERON shaft depth was planned in a way that pierces through all layers and provides easy passage for the flow of water. The shaft’s bore hole is filled with material of high permeability providing an automatic connection between all layers in the ground.

Natural Ground Water Recharge supported by Rainwater Harvesting Shaft

It was observed that the recharge shaft had its own absorption (or intake) speed and any excess quantity of water reaching it would tend to runoff on the ground surface.

Encouraged by the success of recharge due to the vertical inter-connectivity that the shaft provided through natural formations inside the ground, it was decided to interconnect the adjoining recharge shafts by PVC pipe at the top so that the excess water entering the shaft could reach an adjoining recharge shaft without evaporation losses. This would help in avoiding flood hazard during storm showers by capturing the rainfall run-off which would otherwise overwhelm sewer or storm drains and also results in soil erosion.

Shaft Inter-connectivity boosts Rainwater Harvesting
Shaft Inter-connectivity boosts Rainwater Harvesting

The team while examining choked recharge structures observed that most rain water harvesters focused entirely on silt removal before the water was allowed to enter the recharge structure.  SILVERON recognizes that silt is the finest particles of soil, suspension of silt in flowing rain water is natural and since the turbulence is high during monsoon season, silt does not get time to settle making the water appear murky. 

The challenge is not only to ensure unhindered recharge performance in condition of normal silt naturally flowing into the structure but also to incorporate design features that would make silt removal and cleaning an easy & cost effective process.

Natural performance of the SILVERON Recharge Shaft in a village pond

SILVERON designed recharge shafts such that the silt which enters the shaft in the previous monsoon is removed easily by back wash arrangement before onset of next monsoon, at almost negligible cost and as simple process.

Removing silt through backwash

SILVERON shaft was designed conceived that rain water transported from roof tops, paved surfaces or low-lying areas to the recharge shaft would percolate and make the soil wet all around the entire depth of the borehole.

This in turn would attract naturally percolating rainwater coming from any direction, any distance and at any depth – since the shaft column is available to provide easy downward flow passage. The main design principle was to let nature develop an inter-connected network of streams below ground howsoever minute, since once created these channels would remain available as a path for water to flow when it rains.

Naturally Percolating Streams Find Recharge Shafts
Naturally Percolating Streams Find Recharge Shafts

The SILVERON Edge

We at SILVERON, understand the importance of considering all natural factors when designing a rainwater harvesting structure. These variations make the scope of work differ from location to location. Site specific work of such magnitude calls for years of experience and understanding on the part of the harvester.

Ingenuity, untiring efforts, trials, determination to succeed and decades of experience stand behind the performance of SILVERON Rainwater Harvesting Systems.

The wide acceptance and appreciation of the performance of SILVERON recharge shafts makes SILVERON the first choice in the field of water conservation.

Sunil Sharma – Our Founder & CEO

At SILVERON, we pride ourselves on our ability to meet client requests with enthusiasm, passion and most of all with innovative solutions that continue to provide outstanding results.

SILVERON’s journey started with one man’s focus and relentless efforts over decades safeguarding availability of water resources for the nation.

It gives us immense pleasure to introduce our visionary founder & CEO, Sunil Sharma, the inspirational force that powers Team SILVERON.

A forward-looking industrialist & environmentalist, he has done pioneering work in the world of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) research & development in India with a singular goal – conserving water resources for our nation’s future.

The Journey

Sunil Sharma, an MBA (1979, Lucknow University) is a first-generation industrialist involved in manufacturing of formulations, electronic milk analyzers and specialized chemicals since 1982.

Over 2 decades ago, he started taking out time and part of the profits from his businesses ventures to experiment on soil and water relationship and pursue his passion for water conservation.

The initial purpose of these experiments was to understand the role of varying soil profiles and natural ground water recharge process along with analysis of the reasons which led to choking or failure of most existing artificial ground water recharge structures.

Years of untiring efforts has helped him uncover causes of high failure rates in conventional RWH system designs. Under his leadership, SILVERON has developed unique designs for economical & effective Rainwater Harvesting techniques. 

A testament to the success of Mr. Sharma’s design – under his leadership, SILVERON has installed thousands of RWH structures and as of date, each of these structures is giving excellent performance, year after year, without an instance of failure or collapse.

Talk on Rainwater Harvesting by Sunil Sharma, Founder & CEO, SILVERON

Corporate Projects & Success

SILVERON was born when Mr. Sharma’s passion for water conservation and his desire to benefit the society led him to take additional responsibility by associating with Coca Cola India to consult on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) matters and as an Advisor for Water Conservation (2003 – 2017).

Under his guidance, SILVERON installed 150 RWH structures and ensured creation of groundwater recharge potential equivalent to more than 9 times the groundwater extraction by the company in Rajasthan.

Over the next decade, Mr. Sharma has worked with Hero MotoCorp for water conservation by spearheading projects such as the installation of over 160 SILVERON RWH structures at Hero MotoCorp’s  Halol Plant (Gujarat), over 150 structures at the company’s R&D facility CIT, Kukus (Rajasthan), 140 structures for Neemrana Plant (Rajasthan), 21 each at Dharuhera and Gurgaon plant (Haryana) of Hero MotoCorp and 105 SILVERON RWH  structures at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh.

Under Mr. Sharma’s guidance, SILVERON continues to expand its footprint with several projects with renowned corporate houses such as ISGEC and SSM in Yamunanagar (Haryana) & SCL, Noida (UP).

Social Engagement & Recognition

The water conservation efforts pioneered by Sunil Sharma & his expertise in the domain are of great value to SILVERON & the community of Water Conservationists.

His pursuits for preserving our water heritage has helped rejuvenate two 15th Century water bodies (Bawari) at Jaipur. These previously dilapidated & defunct step-wells are now are full of water round the year even today.

A recipient of the Jal Mitra Puraskar for his outstanding work in the field of water conservation, Mr. Sharma is regularly invited as a guest speaker by various management institutions, seminars pertaining to water related issues both by State as well as Central government agencies. He has also served as a member of Task Force constituted by Government of Rajasthan to address water issues for the state.

Vision for Water Conservation

Mr. Sunil Sharma firmly believes that nature supports every effort that does not interfere with natural laws and that there can be nothing nobler than Rainwater Harvesting because here is an act by which you are restoring the balance of nature & safeguarding our future generations.

The development of the SILVERON recharge shaft is the outcome of one man’s passion & innovation for Rainwater Harvesting. Mr. Sharma’s patience for trials and experiments on relation of water with different soil formations, his vision of incorporating maximum environmental benefits in one design and still keep it simple – is a foundation stone for SILVERON.

In a subsequent blog we will cover more details on the SILVERON Recharge Shaft – what led to its design as a ground water recharge system, how this design naturally improves opportunities for water to move within the ground by creating connectivity between porous formations and SILVERON’s RWH systems give excellent performance, year after year.