Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

There are 39 temple tanks in the city of Madras, most of which have been dry for the past one decade due to rapid urbanization and continuous withdrawal of groundwater. Out 39 temple tanks one tank belongs to Mylapore Temple which is within Madras city and second one belongs to Thirupporur Temple which is out of city have been selected to compare the status of the temple tanks. Thirupporur Tank has been taken to find the reason for having water throughout the year. Then the Mylapore tank (within the city) has been taken and studied in detail. The study found the reason for the dryness of urban tanks. It also revealed the methods to rehabilitate and thus to re-establish the hydrological role and possible multiple use of the tanks. The study analysed both the quantity and quality aspects of the tanks.

Keywords: Temple tanks, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, SCS method & public participation.