I.

Definition

S.no Name Definition

1. Ground Water The water that seeps through rocks and soil and it is stored under water called as
ground water.
2. Aquifers The rock in which ground water is stored is called as aquifers.
3. Saturation zone The area where the water fills the aquifers is called saturation zone.
4. Water table The depth from the surface at which the groundwater is found is called as water
table.
5. Natural water Water obtained from rain, well, spring, stream, lake, sea and ocean is called as
natural water.
6. Surface water The water available on the surface of earth is called surface water. It is seen on land
in the form of stream, river, lake and sea.
7. Perennial River The river that carry sufficient water throughout the year is called as perennial river.
8. Runoff The back flow of precipitation to the ocean is called as runoff.
9. Conservation The scientific protection and management of the environment in order to save it
from exploitation is called conservation.
10. Rain Water The activity of collecting water directly or recharging it into the ground to improve
harvesting groundwater storage in the aquifers is called rain water harvesting.
11. Percolation pits The effective structure for harvesting rain water is called percolation pits. Their
dimensions are mostly 60cm x 60cm x
12. Catchment areas The surface that directly receives the rainfall is called catchment area. Ex : Rooftop.
13. Coarse mesh The mesh that prevent the passage of debris is called coarse mesh.
14. Gutters Gutters are structure that collect the rain water and transport it to the storage tank
15. Conduits Pipeline or drain from the catchment are to the harvesting system.
16. First flushing The device that ensure that the runoff from the first spell is drained of because it
device may have many pollutants.
17. Filter Filter is used to remove dirt and debris from the water before it enter a storage
tank.
18. Recharge pits The rain water is collected pit that are filled with pebbles and gravel. [ Width 1-2m
and depth 2-3m] .
19. Irrigation Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land.
20. Well irrigation The irrigation done through wells are called as well irrigation. It is easily accessible
to the farm land.
21. Canal irrigation The irrigation done through canal are called as canal irrigation. They are mainly
found in the northern part of India where there more perennial rivers.
22. Tank irrigation The irrigation done through the tanks are called as tank irrigation system. They are
mainly found in the southern parts of India because there are natural depressions in
the deccan plateau { Southern part of India }
23. Moat or Bucket It is a type of irrigation by which the water is drawn out manually.
system
 24. Dekhli It is method of irrigation by which a vertical pole is used to balance the bucket and
an equivalent load is fixed at the other.
25. Travelling Automatic moving wheeled systems are known as travelling sprinklers.
sprinklers
26. Mhote It is a method in which buffaloes walk up and down a sloping ramp which results in
lifting of a large bucket.
27. Water Water management is the only way to boost the quantity and quality of water
management resource.

II. Advantage
Rain water harvesting  It supplies water to areas lacking ground water.
 It reduces the surface runoff [ i.e preventing the runoff of water into the sewer or
storm drains ].
 It reduces flooding pf urban areas
 Recharge and dilute the ground water and reduce the groundwater pollution.
Tube well over surface  Tube well can irrigate larger area than surface well. [Tube well 150 hectares and
well surface well 2 hectares]
 Tube well are more reliable during the periods of drought.
Tank irrigation  It is easy and economical to construct.
 It allows the monsoon water to be stored.
 It helps to raise the under ground water level.
Tank irrigation in  Deccan Plateau already have natural depressions were tank can be build.
South India  Helps in raising water table.
 Tanks are easier and cheaper to build.
 Large area of the deccan plateau have hard rocks in the bottom and hence prevent
seepage of water.
Canal irrigation in  Most of the river are snow fed and perennial.
North India  Northern plains are flat level and have soft layers of alluvial soil.
 Construction of canal is economically more important as the major occupation is
agriculture in the northern plains.
Drip irrigation  Consume low volume of water.
 Since the water pipes are laid close to the ground evaporation is minimum.
Sprinkle irrigation  No loss of water due to evaporation or seepage.

III. States
S.no Name States
1. Wells Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Haryana
2. Canals in N- India Rajasthan [Indira Gandhi Canal], Punjab and Haryana
 3. Canals in S- India Tamil Nadu { Mettur canal and Periyar canal} and Karnataka {Krishna Sagar dam
canal }
4. Tanks in S- India Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
5. Tanks in hilly areas Maharashtra, West Bengal and Rajasthan

IV. Disadvantage
Tank Irrigation  Tanks are shallow so water is lost by evaporation.
 They are non perennial and they dry up in summer and cant provide water when
there is no rain.
 Tanks use large area and the land could not be used for agriculture.
Spray Irrigation  35% of the water is evaporated or blown out by the air.
 It is expensive system and requires machinery.
Sprinkler Irrigation  It is an expensive method.
Surface wells  They are not deep enough and may become dry.
 They can irrigate a small area only
 Sometimes well water contain high mineral content which makes the water
unsuitable for irrigation.

V. Notes
➢ Objectives of Rain water harvesting : Conserve and augment the storage of ground water.
Reduce water table depletion. Improve the quality of ground water. Arrest sea water intrusion in
coastal areas.
➢ Rain water harvesting : Catchment areas →Coarse mesh →Gutters →Conduits →First
flushing device →Filter → Storage facility →Recharge Structures
➢ Reasons for irrigation in India : India is a agricultural country and need water in the right time
for a economical growth. Rainfall in India is uneven[erratic] and unequal so irrigation is needed in
India.
➢ Importance of water :
 Water is used in domestic purpose like drinking, cooking and bathing.
 Plants must be irrigated with water.
 Steel and chemical industries use water for cooling purpose.
 Thermal and hydroelectric power plants use water to generate power.
 River and sea are used for navigation by ships and boats.
 Recreational activities like swimming pool and water park need water
➢ Minerals found in water are :
 Sodium
 Potassium
  Calcium
 Iron
➢ Other names of drip irrigation are :
 Micro irrigation
 localised irrigation
 low volume irrigation
 trickle irrigation.
➢ Ways to conserve water are :
 Constructing dams
 Managing river basins
 River Valley project
 Leaking urban supply system must be replaced
 Recharging the ground water
➢ Modern Irrigation methods :
 Drip irrigation – Best [ Cheap and evaporation is minimum]
 Sprinkler irrigation – Good [ Expensive but no loss of water]
 Spray irrigation – Worst [ Expensive and more loss of water]