Identifying hot spots for stormwater harvesting and reuse in urban areas applying remote sensing, GIS and system optimization techniques

The target of sustainable water sensitive cities can be accomplished by re-configuration of current urban water systems. Stormwater speaks to a significant option for urban water source so as to minimize the load on crisp water assets, and to alleviate the environmental effect of urban stormwater runoff. Suitable site selection for urban stormwater harvesting is for the most part taking into account the acumen of water planners, who are confronted with the challenge of considering various socio-economic and technical components that impact the site aptness. To meet this challenge, the present work focused on developing an effective GIS based screening approach so as to identify the potentially appropriate stormwater harvesting sites in urban regions as a first attempt for then more comprehensive investigation. Initially, the concentration is on the suitability evaluation in view of the relationship between harvestable runoff and demand with the help of concept of accumulated catchments. The potential sites for stormwater harvesting were taken as drainage outlets of these accumulated catchments. With various screening parameters, the study is done for Dehradun city as with the increase in population thus causes imminent water crises in the city. In the study 28 potential stormwater harvesting sites are proposed out of which it can be further tune to 3 or 4 preferable sites. The quick identification of suitable stormwater harvesting sites can aid the planners in prioritizing schemes in regions that will have an enormous effect in the reduction of potable water demand.