Chennai had a severely deficient monsoon in 2018 with 40% less rain than normal. Since then, the city has been bracing itself for a water crisis. But clearly not enough had been done and the severe water scarcity this summer has been a wake-up call for people, highlighting the urgency of finding ways to use their water resources better.
Though rainwater harvesting was made mandatory in 2003 when the city experienced similar drought like conditions, the idea has been poorly implemented across the city. With the recent water crisis, the focus has shifted to efforts that the citizens can undertake to save water in these times of need.
Roadside rainwater harvesting
The latest in a line of citizen-led initiatives has seen Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association launch the pilot project of erecting roadside rainwater harvesting (RWH) pits. Though roadside RWH had been under discussion for quite some time, the process received impetus from the idea and physical support given by members of the Youth Wing of Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association.
A 5-ft pit, of 3 ft diameter, has been dug and five RCC Rings (Urai) of 2.5 ft diameter have been installed and covered with a lid with holes. A wire mesh has been placed below the lid to prevent garbage going inside and to enable rain water falling on the road to percolate to the pit. Each pit cost Rs 6750 and was funded by the residents’ welfare association.
Gravel at the bottom of the pit to filter impurities. Pic: L Sundararaman
Members had heard about roadside rainwater harvesting, but not much progress could be made earlier for want of know-how. The Association’s youth wing suggested active exploration of the idea of roadside rainwater harvesting in a meeting held in May 2019. After discussion with the youth wing executives, the project was selected to be taken up.
The next step involved drawing up of plans and the rainwater harvesting set up. Once that was completed, in my capacity as president of the Welfare Association, I briefed the Chitlapakkam Town Panchayat Executive Officer D.Gunasekaran, seeking permission to work on Bheeshmer street on a pilot project. Permission was granted on the same day and the work was completed by July 14th.
The beginnings
A small event was organised to inaugurate the rainwater harvesting pits. V.Ramajeyam, Vice President presided over the brief function in the presence of V.L.Narasimhan, fellow Vice President. Both of them emphasised the need for maintenance of the RWH pits and urged members not to throw garbage on the streets, to enable free flow of rain water from street to pit.
A mesh top that closes off the RWH pit. Pic: L Sundararaman
Speaking at the event inaugurating the setup, Secretary of the RWA, D R Shivakumar appreciated the efforts taken by the youth wing coordinators S Mugundan and P Mahesh and all members for bringing up the proposal and implementing it. He hoped such rainwater harvesting pits will now be installed in various parts of Muthulakshmi Nagar.
S.Mugundan, coordinator, highlighted that the severe drought this year jolted members into thinking seriously about conservation of water by installing such pits across the nagar, with the support of the parent association.
The members also thanked the Executive Officer of Chitlapakkam Town Panchayat who gave permission to undertake the project without any delay. The youth wing also received appreciation for coming out with a concrete plan and drawing for the set up quickly.
At the inauguration, the residents took a pledge to save water with the lines, “We, the members of Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association, will not allow even a drop of rain water to be wasted from our house.”
A plaque indicating the location of the RWH setup. Pic: L Sundararaman.
The efforts of the community bore fruit immediately with good rains in the days that followed in the coming days. As the pits has been dug at the spots where water was known to stagnate the most, the rainwater harvesting facility came into play immediately after the set up was complete.
Wonderful simple initiative by Chithalapkkam residents. Well done professionally. It is a wakeup call for all Chennai residents to embrace such initiative to save ground water in the absence of government initiative before the northwest monsoon sets in Chennai and save yourself.
Thanks sir.
Nice idea, but isn’t it a safety issue? Over time the mesh will break. Seems flimsy. Kids can fall in and can be fatal
Sir,over the mesh cement concrete lid.is there.Mesh is to prevent garbage going in.Lid can be replaced as no cement plastering done
Instead of placing a pit some where why not place a pit inside the storm water drain because most water will drain into the storm water drainage and will get collected in these harvesting pits and excess water will drain through multiple puts can be erected inside the drainage at equal intervals
Wonderful initiative taken. I would like to have one in my place. Can any one share the contact number of the person to be contacted for guidance. .
yes,madam.In the article my mail id is given.Pl mail me so that whatever required we will tell.
Really good initiative sir.we wouldlike to do the same in our nagar will you give us idea and suggestions.please mail.
Vijayakumar
President
Baba Nagar welfare association
Chennai.49
Sir,my mail id is in the article.pl mail me.i will share the details.
Sir,my mail id is in the article.pl mail me.i will share the details.