Vishal Linge, Technical Expert – Water Conservation at CYDA, shares an inspiring story of how a small rural school in Ozarkarwadi turned a challenge into an opportunity through innovative water conservation practices. Supported by Microsoft, the initiative demonstrates how simple yet effective interventions can transform not only a school’s water management system but also inspire an entire community to value and protect this precious resource.
Ozarkarwadi, a small village in Mulshi taluka of Pune district, struggled for years with a problem that seemed unusual. Despite receiving generous rainfall during the monsoon, the community faced severe water scarcity each summer. Wells ran dry, bore wells yielded little, and the school- Zilla Parishad Primary School, Ozarkarwadi-often relied on tankers for basic needs such as drinking water and cleaning. The irony was hard to miss: water was abundant for four months, but elusive for the remaining eight.
A Village with Rain, but No Water
The terrain of Ozarkarwadi is semi-hilly, with rocky soil that resists water absorption. Over time, unregulated extraction and the absence of recharge mechanisms led to a significant decline in the groundwater table. Traditional wells that once brimmed with life began turning into dry cavities. As climate variability worsened and summers grew longer, both villagers and the school faced an urgent question: how could they sustain their water needs without relying on external help?
The school, being the heart of the community, was especially vulnerable. With 150 students and staff, it had no secure water source within its premises. Water tankers became a costly necessity. Teachers often carried water from home. Handwashing, cleaning, and even cooking mid-day meals became daily challenges. It was clear that unless sustainable solutions were introduced, education- and the health of children- would continue to suffer.
The Idea that Changed Everything
The turning point came with the Enhancing Water Resource Development and Management Project, supported by Microsoft and implemented by Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA). During a need assessment in Rihe Gram Panchayat, CYDA identified Zilla Parishad Primary School as a priority institution for water resilience. The team observed that, despite the heavy rainfall, the ground was unable to retain the water. The solution lay in reconnecting the two through rooftop rainwater harvesting (RWH).
The concept was simple yet powerful: collect rainwater from the school roof, filter it, and channel it underground to recharge the bore well. This would restore groundwater balance and serve as a learning environment for students to study sustainable water management.
From Blueprint to Reality
The process began with a detailed technical survey of the school rooftop. The team calculated the water harvesting potential based on the roof area (150 sq. m) and average annual rainfall (2134 mm). The result was inspiring—over 3.2 lakh litres of water could be recharged every year if captured efficiently.
CYDA engineers and the school management committee collaborated to design the system. Half-rounded PVC gutters were installed along the roof to collect rainwater, which then flowed through downpipes into a specially designed soak pit and bore well recharge structure. The soak pit, 1.5 meters in diameter and one meter deep, was lined with RCC rings and filled with layers of stones, gravel, and sand to filter and naturally percolate the water. A rainwater filter ensured that only clean water entered the recharge system. Within weeks, the school rooftop had transformed into a water-harvesting structure.
More Than Just a System—A Movement
Installation was only the beginning. CYDA organized hands-on awareness sessions for teachers and students to understand how the system worked and why its maintenance mattered. Children learned to monitor rainfall, observe the flow of water, and record daily data, turning their scientific curiosity into civic responsibility.
“Earlier, we used to watch rainwater flow away into the drains. Now we know where it goes-and how it helps us,” mentioned one student.
Teachers also embraced the project as a teaching aid. Lessons in science and the environment became more practical. The bore well, once dry, began yielding water even in late summer. The mid-day meal kitchen no longer waited for tankers. The school had achieved self-reliance sustainably.
Ripple Effects in the Community
The story of the school’s transformation spread quickly across Rihe Gram Panchayat. Villagers who had once accepted summer scarcity as fate now saw a model worth replicating. The headmaster and students became local ambassadors for rainwater harvesting, explaining the system to visiting parents and community members. Nearby households began exploring similar setups, inspired by what they saw.
As the first monsoon after installation arrived, the impact became visible. The newly installed gutters gleamed under the rain, directing precious water into the ground instead of letting it run off. The bore well levels rose gradually. Soil erosion near the school compound has reduced significantly. The sight of schoolchildren celebrating the first rains, watching water flow into their own recharge pit, became a symbol of community-led climate resilience.
Tangible Outcomes
- Water Recharged: Over 3.2 lakh litres annually—enough to meet the school’s non-drinking water needs year-round.
- Improved Groundwater Levels: The bore well’s yield improved, reducing reliance on external sources.
- Educational Benefits: Students learned firsthand about environmental science, sustainability, and engineering.
- Community Inspiration: Other schools and villagers expressed interest in replicating the model.
- Environmental Gains: Reduced surface runoff, improved soil retention, and long-term water security.
A Model for Climate-Resilient Schools
The Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System at Zilla Parishad Primary School, Ozarkarwadi, stands today as a beacon of innovation and hope. It is not just an infrastructure intervention—it is a mindset shift. By converting rainwater into a resource and empowering students to become stewards of conservation, the project combines technology, education, and community engagement.
In a region once defined by scarcity, the sound of rain now carries a different meaning. Each drop that falls on the school roof is no longer wasted—it is stored, valued, and celebrated. The children of Ozarkarwadi have learned one of life’s simplest but most profound lessons: when you respect every drop, you secure the future.
