The Hindu : Traditional methods help them reap benefit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 31, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Traditional methods help them reap benefit

By Karthik Subramanian

CHENNAI AUG. 30. Poly Vinyl Chloride pipes, concrete rings, sand pits and pebbles are not really the only raw materials that make for good rainwater harvesting (RWH) solutions. At least two city residents, both immigrants from Kerala, have found traditional solutions that have helped them brave even the severest of droughts and reap rich benefits with minimal investments.

The secret--if one were to ask K.Shatrugnan of Valasarawakkam or P.A.Mathew of Anna Nagar East--is in ensuring that very little water is allowed to flow out of the residence. This, coupled with adequate open ground space (no need percolation pits, the elderly gentlemen insist) and a well-maintained garden have yielded results for more than three decades.

Mr.Shatrugnan residing at 7/4, Kamarajar Road, Valasarawakkam recalled that when he started construction for his house in 1972, his neighbours were drawing unpotable yellowish water.

He used the services of a water-diviner to situate a well in his 3,800 square feet plot.

Having restricted the built up area to just 2,000 square feet, Mr. Shatrugnan constructed mini bunds in his garden to direct the flow of water. The bunds themselves were designed with an intention to retain water during rain. "It is only during very heavy rain that water will flow out of the residence. Otherwise the water just stays on for a few hours and percolates into the sub-soil strata," he adds. Having constructed compound walls on all the sides, Mr.Shatrugnan also placed the entrance gate at a slightly elevated terrain to ensure further retention of water.

Today, even while the most city residents are frantically setting up RWH structures, this retired gentleman, who has taken up music coaching, is able to drink water directly from his well. "Never have I touched bottled water in my life," he adds. His garden is easily one of the greenest in the area.

P.A.Mathew, who also moved in to his W-22, Anna Nagar East residence in 1972, follows a similar solution. Mr.Mathew ensured that water is retained at his residence, thanks to a "step cultivation" model in which concrete steps and pipes prevent the outflow of water. He has further refined the RWH solution with the help of two pits, which he says are a common feature in households in rural Kerala.

"The pit is basically used to burn coconut tree waste. The ash becomes manure for other plants in the garden. I clear the pits just before the rainy season to convert them into recharge points," Mr.Mathew says.

Even at a time when most of Anna Nagar residents depend on paid water service, Mr.Mathew says he has never spent `even a penny' for purchasing water over the last three decades. The built up area in his 4000 sq.ft plot is only to the tune of 2,000 sq.ft.

Both Mr.Mathew and Mr.Shatrugnan have urged the government to pass a legislation to ensure that at least a small portion of the plot is not built on.

"Natural percolation is the best alternative as there can be no better filter for water than the ground. The public who are building percolation pits or filter chambers for recharge wells must ensure that the chambers are cleaned every year. After all, we do that even for our water purifier," Mr.Shatrugnan said.

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