People of Padmanabha Nagar (PN) in Adyar, a residential colony situated in coastal track of Chennai city have effectively resolved their drinking water problem, by adopting rainwater harvesting technique.
It all started in 2001, when Chennai was going through a period of
severe water scarcity. This colony of 65 individual houses, covering an
area of around three acres was also facing a problem due to seawater
intrusion. The state water supply was not only irregular but limited in
quantity as well, thus compelling people to buy water. The middle class
resident's of PN were spending about Rs 2,000 - Rs 3,000 per month on water.
Venkataraman, president of PN welfare association, decided to adopt the technique of rainwater harvesting in his colony. He was assisted by Sekhar Raghavan, a Chennai-based rainwater harvesting facilitator. Venkatraman decided to begin with his house. To demonstrate the benefits of this technique to other residents he designed a diversion pipe (a four inch PVC pipe bend with a reducer of four inch to one inch that can be fitted with any rooftop water downtake pipe of four inch diameter) through which water can be diverted to any part of the house. Initially, to popularise rainwater harvesting among the residents, he also announced a subsidy of Rs. 250/- for feasibility study.
The designs used are simple. Venkataraman explains, "Rooftop rainwater is diverted to sumps for direct usage". To reduce the cost, pipes near the sump and dug wells are used.
Rainwater harvesting is also strengthening inter community bonds in PN. As Venkatarman narrates, "When Seshadri, a PN resident decided to go for water harvesting, he realised that his neighbour - Krishnaswamy and Afzal's pipes runs near his dug well. Thus, it would be in everyone's interest to take collective action. Both of them not only agreed but also gave their financial contribution for the project." It clearly shows that water knows no boundaries of caste or religion - it stays with people, who respects and conserves it.
For further information:
K Venkataraman
Padmanabha Nagar Association
C/O Secretary
ushaven@vsnl.com
Chennai
Letter from Mrs.Ramaswamy Palm Court Apts. Mylapore
I am a resident/owner of an apartment in Mylapore. We have only 8 apts.
in the building and have a big terrace nearly 4000 sq.ft.in area. In the last
decade lots of changes have taken place. Owners are abroad and their flats
are either locked or given on lease/ rent. So there is a marked change in life
style all around. A.C's and washing machines are a necessity for for all. The
direct impact is felt in 2 areas.1. electricity 2. and water consumption.
Electricity cost is borne individually as it is metered, where as there is
no such system for water. and in an apartment complex water consumption
becomes very difficult.
This year we are practically buying 12000 litres. of water on alternate days- though half the number of flats are sparsely inhabited or locked.This set me thinking of a solution to the acute water problem as the bore wells are bone dry and metro water supply is unable to meet the requirement.
As I am now in charge of the association, I started exploring the possibility of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH). Four years ago RWH survey was done for our building but we did not pursue it seriously since RWH was still new concept and had not taken off in full swing.
A few weeks ago I came across an article
in The Hindu on RWH featuring the work done of TRY Charitable trust with a contact no,
for expert advice and help. That started the ball rolling. My first contact with Mr. Mitra
was an eye opener to the grave situation we are all facing in Chennai.because of
the exploitation of ground water. Depletion of ground water table can also lead to
natural calamities like earthquake which will also damage buildings. the Gujarat earthquake
is a warning to all of us, Mr.Mitra told me.
Mr.Mitra and his team gave me a cost effective and
practical approach for taking rain water from the terrace and garage roof to the bore wells and
well to recharge them. The project is now complete. They have done a neat, conscientious job,
avoiding unnecessary and wasteful expenditure.
We are now waiting for the rains to come and saturate our wells.
Thank you TRY for assisting us.
Mrs.Ramaswamy