Keni — the Vanishing Wonder Well

• Published in: Journal of the Geological Society of India Vol. 91; no. 2; pp. 198 - 200
• Main Authors: Gopinath, Girish, T. R., Resmi, K. S., Anil Kumar, N. S., Anusree, Narasimha Prasad, N. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Geological Society of India 01-02-2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Chemical analysis; Drinking water; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geology; Ground level; Groundwater table; Harvesting; Historical structures; Hydrogeology; Purification; Quality standards; Soil; Soil structure; Soil water; Surveying; Water analysis; Water harvesting; Water purification; Water quality; Water quality standards; Water table
• ISSN: 0016-7622; 0974-6889
• DOI: 10.1007/s12594-018-0835-8

This paper discusses the ancient perennial water abstraction structures—Keni—developed by the tribal communities in Wayanad district, Kerala, southwest coast of India. Keni is shallow wooden abstraction structure built in the soil zone where the water table is near or above the ground level. These traditional water abstraction structures are perfect example of water harvesting and water purification. As a preliminary assessment, a detailed survey of the Keni in the district is conducted and the result of the chemical analysis of water from the Keni is presented in this paper. Water from Kenis meet the drinking water quality standards prescribed by the BIS.