The Times of India 23.09.2010
Good rains, harvesting lift ground water table in city
CHENNAI: The groundwater level has shot up in the city by over a metre compared to last year, thanks to the copious rainfall in June and July. And with the northeast monsoon around the corner, Chennai Metrowater has embarked on a rain water harvesting (RWH) campaign to improve the water table further.
The ground water level across 10 Metrowater zones has gone up by an average 1.31 metres in August, compared to the same month last year. As it stands now, the water table is 2.03 metres below the ground in T Nagar and the surrounding areas, up from 3.39 metres last year. Even in Tondiarpet and the neighbouring areas, where the water table is at its lowest at 4.12 metres, the level has gone up by more than half a metre.
The levels were low between February and May in many parts of the city. In places like Saidapet, the water table was as deep as 4.82 metres. But in June, July and August, when the city received intermittent showers, the ground water level rose steadily.
The groundwater level has shot up in the city by over a metre compared to last year, thanks to the copious rainfall in June and July. "In August 2009, when the city received nearly 67 mm of rainfall, the average groundwater level was 4.21 metres. This August, when 236 mm of rain was recorded, the average groundwater level rose to 2.9 metres," said Metrowater hydrogeologist M Soundararajan.
In July 2009, the average ground water level stood at 4.52 metres, but in the same month this year, the level went up to 3.38 metres, an increase of 1.14 metres. "Besides the rain, proper maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures has contributed to this rise. We will be starting a drive to inspect RWH structures," Soundararajan said.
Officials with the help of residential associations will visit locations where RWH structures are not proper and suggest improvements.
According to Sekhar Raghavan, founder of Rain Centre, RWH structures have helped increase the water table levels. "Though the structures have been installed everywhere, some modifications need to be made. Residential and commercial complexes should consider harvesting run-off water from open spaces too. During rains, people should check for overflow from harvesting structures and remove silt if needed," he said, adding that NGOs could help out Metrowater in inspecting RWH structures.
The ground water level across 10 Metrowater zones has gone up by an average 1.31 metres in August, compared to the same month last year. As it stands now, the water table is 2.03 metres below the ground in T Nagar and the surrounding areas, up from 3.39 metres last year. Even in Tondiarpet and the neighbouring areas, where the water table is at its lowest at 4.12 metres, the level has gone up by more than half a metre.
The levels were low between February and May in many parts of the city. In places like Saidapet, the water table was as deep as 4.82 metres. But in June, July and August, when the city received intermittent showers, the ground water level rose steadily.
The groundwater level has shot up in the city by over a metre compared to last year, thanks to the copious rainfall in June and July. "In August 2009, when the city received nearly 67 mm of rainfall, the average groundwater level was 4.21 metres. This August, when 236 mm of rain was recorded, the average groundwater level rose to 2.9 metres," said Metrowater hydrogeologist M Soundararajan.
In July 2009, the average ground water level stood at 4.52 metres, but in the same month this year, the level went up to 3.38 metres, an increase of 1.14 metres. "Besides the rain, proper maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures has contributed to this rise. We will be starting a drive to inspect RWH structures," Soundararajan said.
Officials with the help of residential associations will visit locations where RWH structures are not proper and suggest improvements.
According to Sekhar Raghavan, founder of Rain Centre, RWH structures have helped increase the water table levels. "Though the structures have been installed everywhere, some modifications need to be made. Residential and commercial complexes should consider harvesting run-off water from open spaces too. During rains, people should check for overflow from harvesting structures and remove silt if needed," he said, adding that NGOs could help out Metrowater in inspecting RWH structures.
