Traditional systems for Water Security

Architecture and water. Inseparable. To live we need water and so to build too we need water. Every plot of land that we develop can have its own source of water. In Goa, most have fresh water wells. One can also build a rain water harvesting tank.

How does one build a well? Simple. Just use laterite stones with a base of any suitable wood like Jambul, Gooseberry/Amla or Rumad (Ficus racemosa). I learnt this from a local mason and well builder when I built my first well at Curtorim at my first project site. There is no need to build with concrete rings. It is not natural. Laterite is a very good and strong building material, it has a long life and traditionally this is how our ancestors would build. These are pictures taken at one of our sites, where we are building with a no-cement, no concrete policy. Only mud, only natural materials. This is the best approach for sustainability.

After pumping out the water, the wooden frame is placed at the bottom and then the first few cut stones placed.

Written and Documented by Talullah D'silva, Principal Architect and Environmentalist, Architecture T