Traditional Dual Tank Water Management: A Study of Kolakanatham in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu

Societies make rainwater harvesting structures to collect and store rain water to cater for their immediate and future needs. In a remote village in the Perambalur district, the people use the dual temple tank, nearly 350 years old, for their drinking purposes. This study tries to understand the traditional knowledge embedded in the dual pond structures, cascade aerators, and an open well connected with the ground aquifer inside the tank. This study delves into projected rainfall trends using NASA POWER data for 2050, revealing a noticeable increase and an assessment of pond water quality parameters demonstrating adherence to acceptable limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). However, despite meeting these standards, the water quality index deems the water unsuitable for direct human consumption, though it remains suitable for domestic household use. Moreover, analysis of land cover and land use changes by Sentinel2A data over the past 22 years underscores significant growth in settlement areas, indicative of a rising demand for water resources. The study proposes the restoration and utilization of the dual tank system as a potential solution to address this burgeoning water demand, offering a reliable water source and preserving traditional practices within the local community.