As every drop of water counts, a low-cost water harvesting pit initiative in Jangaon district has caught national attention. To conserve water, government employees in Jangaon have joined a voluntary effort and constructed nearly 7,175 rainwater harvesting pits on a war footing. It is estimated that this effort will yield at least one TMC of water, increasing groundwater levels over a period of time.
The National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, Government of India, has lauded the “people-driven, low-cost water conservation structures.” “Every drop counts and every department can make a difference,” the NWM said on August 7, detailing how the mission was accomplished.
NWM Director Archana Varma appreciated the Jangaon administration for the initiative, under which government employees constructed the rainwater harvesting pits by contributing from their own pockets. Collector Rizwan Basha Shaik, who launched the initiative Mana Jilla Mana Neellu on July 5, asked the employees to get at least 5,000 pits dug at government offices, school buildings, and hospital premises. However, the target was surpassed, with practically every government department contributing.
According to officials, the cost of constructing a rainwater harvesting pit is just ₹1,500. The local gram panchayat was tasked with providing stones and mud, sourced from collapsed structures or other available sites. The alarming groundwater situation in the district pushed the administration into mission mode.
Official statistics show that the district average groundwater level was 4.84 m in January 2022, compared to 10.21 m in April 2025. An appeal has been made to the public to construct water harvesting pits at their homes and around borewells so that surface runoff is collected and percolates into the ground, helping to replenish wells and borewells.
The low-cost percolation pits being constructed are one metre in length, one metre in breadth, and one metre in depth, with a capacity of 1,000 litres each. Officials said it could make a significant difference if 50,000 such pits are constructed, and plans are underway to achieve this over time.
Collector Rizwan Basha said the idea is to ensure that every house has a rainwater harvesting pit, with the voluntary participation of everyone.
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