The Hindu             04.07.2013

Metrowater ups the ante over rainwater harvesting

Chennai Metrowater has started a survey across the city to measure the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting structures. Efforts are also on to sensitise people towards the need to harness rainwater.

As part of this campaign, the water agency has been conducting checks in various parts of the city, including added areas, since July 1. A team of officials inspected buildings to see if rainwater harvesting structures are functional.

In Ambattur, about 2,500 buildings have been surveyed so far. The water agency plans to cover nearly 7.40 lakh residential and commercial buildings across the city as part of the survey.

Metrowater sources said that in some places, the rainwater harvesting structures were found to be badly maintained. Residents were instructed to clean the structures and refill them with layers of filtering materials such as blue metals and pebbles. Terraces of houses must also be cleaned to enable the harnessing of rainwater to reap the benefits of southwest and northeast monsoons, they suggested.

Residents of Ambattur OT said that a team of officials distributed pamphlets regarding RWH structures and their maintenance.

On Wednesday, nearly 200 students of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ambattur, took out a rally to emphasise the significance of harnessing rainwater and its impact on the groundwater table and quality.

They covered areas around Oragadam Main Road and Mounaswamy Madam Street and distributed pamphlets.

There are plans to hold meetings in area offices to elaborate on the means of rainwater harvesting.

Details of the survey of the existing structures would be collated after all the buildings are inspected, sources added.