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Rainwater harvesting is a technique of collection and storage of rainwater into natural reservoirs or tanks, or the infiltration of surface water into subsurface aquifers (before it is lost as surface runoff). One method of rainwater harvesting is rooftop harvesting. With rooftop harvesting, most any surface — tiles, metal sheets, plastics, but not grass or palm leaf — can be used to intercept the flow of rainwater and provide a household with high-quality drinking water and year-round storage. Other uses include water for gardens, livestock, and irrigation, etc.
====Rainwater harvesting in India====
[[File:200px-TemplePondChennai.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A temple pond at Mylapore, Chennai, India]]
Tamil Nadu is the first Indian state to make rainwater harvesting mandatory. On 30 May 2014, the state government announced that it will set up 50,000 rainwater harvesting structures at various parts of the capital city of Chennai. [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/50000-rain-water-harvesting-structures-to-come-up-in-Chennai/articleshow/35794531.cms]
Around 4,000 temples in Tamilnadu state traditionally had water tanks that were used for various rituals. The tanks also served as natural aquifers and helped recharge groundwater. Over the years, however, many of these tanks have gone out of use. Overflowing mounds of silt and garbage have replaced the water in them.
Now, following sustained campaigns by voluntary organisations and departments in charge of water distribution and use, authorities in Chennai have decided to restore around 40 major temple tanks in the city. The aim is to convert the tanks into catchments for rainwater harvesting. [http://infochangeindia.org/environment/news/temple-tanks-in-tamil-nadu-to-harvest-rainwater.html]
<font color="#555555" size="3">'''The reasons for using rainwater harvesting systems answer three questions:'''</font>
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====Rainwater harvesting in India====
[[File:200px-TemplePondChennai.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A temple pond at Mylapore, Chennai, India]]
Tamil Nadu is the first Indian state to make rainwater harvesting mandatory. On 30 May 2014, the state government announced that it will set up 50,000 rainwater harvesting structures at various parts of the capital city of Chennai. [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/50000-rain-water-harvesting-structures-to-come-up-in-Chennai/articleshow/35794531.cms]
Around 4,000 temples in Tamilnadu state traditionally had water tanks that were used for various rituals. The tanks also served as natural aquifers and helped recharge groundwater. Over the years, however, many of these tanks have gone out of use. Overflowing mounds of silt and garbage have replaced the water in them.
Now, following sustained campaigns by voluntary organisations and departments in charge of water distribution and use, authorities in Chennai have decided to restore around 40 major temple tanks in the city. The aim is to convert the tanks into catchments for rainwater harvesting. [http://infochangeindia.org/environment/news/temple-tanks-in-tamil-nadu-to-harvest-rainwater.html]
===Rainwater harvesting links===