KOZHIKODE: A low-cost project by the city-based water resources body to help get water for domestic purposes during the dry summer season will be a dream-come-true for the country.
The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) has proposed the country’s first-ever scheme, in which newly dug-up wells, existing wells, abandoned and unused wells will be turned into rainwater harvesting reservoirs.
CWRDM’s water quality management head Dr P S Harikumar, who has masterminded the technique, says that a concrete slab is constructed in the well, just above the water level. A bag, with a capacity to hold up to 25,000 litres of water, is placed on the slab. Rainwater from terraces or roofs will be diverted to the well through pipes for rainwater harvesting.
The impurities in the rain water will be treated at the filtration plant set up using charcoal, pieces of rock and sand. The excess rainwater will be allowed to seep into the earth. The purified rainwater thus collected can be used for domestic purposes. “Wells which are used regularly also dry up during the peak summer season. Such wells and even abandoned wells can be rejuvenated effectively using this technique. While in areas which have industries in close proximity, stricter filtration processes should be employed for rainwater harvesting,” says Harikumar.
A pilot model of the system has been set up by the CWRDM at the Peelikode Government Higher Secondary School in Kasargod with financial assistance from the state environment department.
The capacity of wells will range depending on their width. Such rain-harvesting wells are best suited for hilly areas and areas with laterite soil, as the cost is relatively cheaper compared to other rainwater harvesting methods. Moreover, no space will be lost for constructing a well-based reservoir.
According to Harikumar, the total expense for one such reservoir will be Rs 40,000.
Harikumar adds that low cost rainwater harvesting reservoirs can be constructed for the public department under the ‘International Year of Water Corporation’ scheme.
“Individuals who want to construct rainwater harvesting reservoirs will be given technical help,” he says.
For more details, contact: 9847781444.