Stung by scarcity, focus changes to RWH systems

The acute water shortage has caused widespread concern among the people here. Groundwater is the main source for the city to meet its water requirement, and the water table is replenished by rain. In the absence of rains for months together, the water table has plunged, setting off alarm bells among not just officials but people as well. As a result, a large number of people in the city have come forward to set up rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures in their houses this year.

According to the city Corporation, currently two lakh households in the city have rainwater harvesting system in their houses.

“In the past three months, more than 15-20 clients have come asking to fix rainwater harvesting systems in their houses. This number is comparatively higher than the previous years,” said D Devan of Gupta Industries Corporation.

Experts who consult on RWH systems said that many people were also asking for solutions to fix the existing structures that are not in usable condition. “Some have come to us asking to repair the systems that are clogged or the pipe leading to ground being broken,” said K Raji of RK Plumbing works. Rainwater harvesting is a simple system which only requires two hours work of a plumber and a mason, he added.

NS Subbiah, retired senior PWD official who now runs Ala Groundwater Consultancy said, “I have given suggestions to some people but only have few have reverted back.”

Chennai Corporation has also taken efforts to spread the necessary awareness to people and has also said that people are welcome to seek their help. “We are getting many calls daily. We are willing to help even the domestic households. We have a chief engineer to help them with the planning,” said a Corporation official.