I read this page and was so impressed with the Water Warriors I have to share this page... These people are encouraging their neighbours to reduce ground run off (rain) going into the main drainage system from paved areas, making it soak into the ground to replenish ground water AND encouraging everyone to pour used kitchen/bathing water onto the soil in their gardens. The result is the ground water has recovered and the water table has gone UP SIX METRES, (wow),
see here; http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/water-warriors-chennai . This is a great example of how informal, local water management is having a significant impact on the water table (and ultimately the health of the environment) by bypassing the main water drainage network.