Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

Chennai airport to have RWH facility soon

By T.Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI Aug. 20. The Chennai airport premises is all set to have a rainwater harvesting (RWH) facility soon.

Last week, a team of officials from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) inspected the site, in response to a request from the Airports Authority of India to develop an RWH system for the premises.

A senior official of the Board says ``we have asked the AAI to provide details on the intensity of rainfall, extent of rooftop and present arrangements for drainage''.

Once all the data is available, the Board will provide a design to suit the requirements of the airport authorities.

Besides, the CGWB has been approached by the AIR, Doordarshan and Madras Cricket Club, the official points out.

The Board's mandate is to give free technical advice to those who come to it for establishing RWH structures. Its contact phone numbers are: 4914334 and 4914494. E-mail:cgwb@tn.nic.in.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), on Tuesday, commenced a restructured training programme on RWH, under which professionals conduct the programme on Tuesdays and Thursdays till October.

To be held between 10-30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the programme is open to those who register their names with Joint Director (T & D), Training Centre Campus, Metrowater Resources Centre, 56, Raji Street, Ayanavaram. Phone: 6442611. The Senior Hydrogeologist (RWH), CMWSSB can be contacted for further details at phone: 8524388, 8534444 - Extension:295/Direct:8516080.

As part of the functions to monitor the groundwater table in and around Chennai, the CGWB and Metrowater measure the levels of observatory wells located in various parts of the city.

Thanks to more precipitation this year and installation of RWH structures, the average groundwater level in the city is in the range of 6 to 7 metres this month, about two metres less than what it was in the corresponding period last year, according to a section of officials. However, open and shallow wells in areas such as Saidapet, Aminjikarai, Perambur and Velachery remain dry.

The perceptible improvement is noticeable in K.K.Nagar and Vepery where the rise in the groundwater level hovers around 2.75 metres and 4 metres.

A senior scientist attached to the CGWB says though the RWH activity is going on in the ``right direction'', its impact is yet to be felt. Though the situation is now better than last year, the actual rise in the groundwater level has not taken place in the city. ``In times of drought, the table goes down and subsequently, it gets back to the old position. But, what we have to notice is that the groundwater level should go up further'', the scientist explains.

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