CHENNAI: A few months ago, an idea took shape – how about a bamboo construction that can absorb moisture from the air and generate water? Inspired by the existing Warka Water project, Selva Ganapathy in Chennai raised money via crowd-funding, and with the help of Salem Citizen’s Forum (SCF), began to work on the prototype. It has been a few months and we decided to bring you an update.
It is still under construction but it will enter Phase 2 soon. Why the delay? You remember the arrest of SCF founder Piyush Manush for his protest. “Apart from Piyush’s arrest, we also faced issues in getting clearance from the forest department to cut bamboo from certain areas. Now it’s cleared, and the 70 tonnes of bamboo will reach us within a couple of weeks,” explains Selva.
Before we get to the further complications that can arise, let us explain the workings of the prototype. This vertical structure, with the help of condensation, will collect moisture from air to generate potable water. Depending on the weather conditions and the environment, the structure can collect 13 to 26 gallons of water. “The Warka Water collects 100 litres of water each day and we estimate (let’s call it WW 1.6) to generate at least 60 litres of water in the coastal areas. WW 2.6 is slightly different from Warka Water. While the latter has curvy edges, ours doesn’t have curves and is hexagonal,” says Selva.
Initially, when Selva and SCF started building it, they found the structure physically unstable because of the wind. “So, we decided to insert iron rods into bamboo sticks to add weight. So, after procuring bamboo, we needed to choose the ones that would hold an iron rod and determine how stable the 30-ft structure will be. If we fall short of bamboo, we will have to get more.”
Secondly, choosing the right wire mesh that helps the water to condense on the surface and collect it together. “We are currently experimenting with different wire meshes. We are looking at the one that’s commonly used in green houses. After the structure is built, we will have to see if it works; otherwise we will have to change.”
A lot of trial and error experimentation awaits Selva and the team. Over 40 people contributed to the project and collected `88,000, approximately. Each structure would cost about `50,000. Selva makes sure he keeps all of them updated about the progress and findings. “Initially, we also thought about adding a turbine at the top of the 30-foot structure that could generate electricity. It’s on hold now, because there are other complications that may develop. Due to very high temperatures, condensation may not take place at all! But people have faith in the project because it is for a good cause.”
The idea struck him during the droughts in Maharashtra and the farmers committing suicide. The 23-year old chemical engineer, who is the junior technical superintendent at IIT Madras since 2010, has been working towards the betterment of people for over 13 years. “When I first got a job, I decided I wanted to give back to the society. I began to volunteer for AID India and still continue to do so. I have a lot of dreams but it’s too soon to fix a long-term dream. I work on projects, some fail but I don’t give up. One thing I’m certain about is that I would like to get into the UN at some point of my life and bring good educational, agricultural and environmental projects to India,” he says.
Selva is busy with his full-time job at IIT, volunteering for AID India and working on the Warka Water prototype that promises to help a lot of drought-affected regions.
For contribution and details, email:aid.selva@gmail.com