Rainwater Harvesting & Artificial Recharging in Vedanta Alumina Refinery Township, Lanjigarh, Odisha

Abstract

This report presents a detailed study of rainwater harvesting and artificial groundwater recharge techniques tailored for Lanjigarh Block, Kalahandi District. The area faces seasonal water scarcity due to erratic rainfall and over-dependence on groundwater. By analyzing rainfall patterns, topography, and hydrogeological features, this plan aims to provide a sustainable solution to water scarcity through rooftop rainwater harvesting and various artificial recharge structures such as percolation pits, recharge trenches, and check dams.

Introduction

The Alumina Refinery of Vedanta Limited, operational since 2008, is located in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, Odisha. It produces 5 million tons per annum (mtpa) of alumina and operates a 220 MW captive power plant. The refinery supplies alumina to nearby smelters and is situated in a basin near the Niyamgiri hills, with water sourced mainly from the Tel River. The plant includes a township spread over 132 acres at the foothills of the Niyamgiri range.

Lanjigarh block features undulating terrain, lateritic soil, and seasonal rivers, with an average annual rainfall of 1100-1200 mm concentrated mainly in the monsoon (June-September). Groundwater levels have been declining.

The report aims to assess rainfall and runoff in the township, identify suitable locations for rainwater harvesting (RWH), design appropriate recharge structures, and develop sustainable water management plans. It reviews global literature on RWH systems highlighting their effectiveness in water conservation, urban and rural applications, climate change impacts, and agricultural benefits.

Methodology includes rainfall data collection (2008-2024), hydrogeological surveys, GIS mapping, and design of RWH structures per BIS guidelines. Rainfall-runoff analysis shows uneven rainfall distribution with peak runoff during monsoon months.

The township lies on granite and khondalite formations with moderate weathered zones serving as shallow aquifers. The climate is tropical monsoon with hot summers and mild winters. Average annual rainfall recorded is about 1451 mm, mostly from June to September.

Conclusion

1) The township of M/s. Vedanta Ltd is located in Lanjigarh village in Kalahandi district, Odisha State. The township spreads over an area of 466600 sq.m area on the foothills of Niyamagiri Hill Range. 2) The township meets its water requirement from surface water from Tel River. 3) Water consumption of township is 600000 cubic meter per annum. 4) The township implement rainwater harvesting and artificial recharging to groundwater practices in which we collect 150000 cubic meters of rain water per annum 5) Rainwater being generated from roof of some building will be recharged to groundwater through injection well. 6) Surface runoff will be stored in rainwater harvesting reservoirs and subsequently will be recharged to groundwater system through borewells. 7) The water positivity of Vedanta township is about 40% of consumption. The total consumption reduced to 60%

References

[1] Su, M. D., Lin, C. H., Chang, L. F., Kang, J. L., & Lin, M. C. (2009). A probabilistic approach to rainwater harvesting systems design and evaluation. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 53(7), 393-399 [2] Welderufael, W. A., Woyessa, Y. E., & Edossa, D. C. (2013). Impact of rainwater harvesting on water resources of the modder river basin, central region of South Africa. Agricultural water management, 116, 218-227 [3] Santos, C., Imteaz, M. A., Ghisi, E., & Matos, C. (2020). The effect of climate change on domestic Rainwater Harvesting. Science of The Total Environment, 729, 138967. [4] Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Manual on Artificial Recharge [5] BIS IS 15797:2007, Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting [6] Odisha Groundwater Atlas [7] IMD Rainfall Data (2008–2017) [8] Local hydrological surveys

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Khetrabasi Jena , Abhijit Mangaraj. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.