River cleaning and Saving Water Team is headed by Mrs Vineeta Date
Why do we need clean rivers?

river-cleaningFresh water is the most vital natural resource. Most of our drinking water comes from rivers, lakes and surface water from other sources. The water obtained is filtered, cleaned and treated before it is made portable for drinking, cleaning and other purposes. Clean and unpolluted rivers and lakes makes it possible to have clean, economically viable and easily available water for drinking.

What is causing the water crisis ?

Demands for water, food, energy and material goods as population increases, deforestation, rapid unplanned urban land development accompanied by reduced rainfall are the main reasons for the water crisis. The traditional attempts of building dams, reservoirs and other types of infrastructure are only part of the solution. Economically feasible, sustainable, eco-friendly land development, is the way forward. Restoring forests, flood plains, keeping harmful run offs out of rivers and increasing the level of the water table through rain water harvesting need to be brought into practise urgently to restore the balance. Water saving techniques and information on water saving tips must be disseminated.

What does ECA do

river-cleaningMonitor and find out what is causing the pollution
Our age old habit of dumping waste in rivers and lakes and other water bodies needs to change through awareness programs and monitoring. A few examples of this problem is depicted through photos taken by ECA members.

• Garbage and plastic dumped on river banks which ultimately ends up in the river during the monsoons

• Raw sewage spewing into rivers due to inefficient and low capacity sewage treatment plants

• Ganapati Visarjan – polluting rivers with plastic and other materials

• Industrial effluents into rivers and agricultural run offs

• Water Hyacinth completely taking over rivers and upsetting the eco-system

river-bank1• Drives to clean river banks and rivers

• Data logging at various sites and times to check water pollution and publish reports for the public and Municipal Corporations. Information provided to public and Municipal Corporations about Polluted river water and Hyacinth covered rivers.

• Checking, monitoring and reporting water levels in dams and reservoirs and taking action before drought situation arises

• Using ECA volunteers as guides to inform the public about littering, polluting rivers and explaining the consequences of dumping waste.

river-awareness• Water saving rallies, talks, seminars and awareness programmes in all communities, schools and colleges

Rain Water Harvesting Programme is run by Mrs. Vineeta Date
What is Rainwater Harvesting?

Rainwater Harvesting is the technique of artificially recharging/increasing the groundwater levels when the natural avenues of recharge are not available. Urbanization has closed off all natural methods of recharge. Hence the urgent need for RWH.

What does ECA do

  • Create awareness and train citizens regarding Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and its implementation in and around Pune
  • Visiting villages to promote and provide a plan for Rain water harvesting
  • Join hands with corporates and educate urban & rural communities to install Rainwater Harvesting systems

What has ECA done:

install RWH in 52 PCMC school building recharging over two caror litter of water.

RWH at Ghatghar village.