Rainwater Harvesting - Catalyst for Human Development

1. Catalyst
A PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE, PROJECTS & PROGRESS
FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MARCH 2007
WATER
Safe Drinking Water
Rain Water Harvesting
Facing the Water Crisis
Waste Water Management
India Water Portal
Water Bond

2. compiled by Ms. Shivangini Tandon, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, USA.’

3. TEAM 03
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Catalyst
EDITORIAL TEAM
Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy
Chief Editor
chiefeditor@afhd.org
FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Bharati Kalasapudi
— An insight into the complex Mr. Nasy Sankagiri
problems of development and an Ms. Aarti Iyer
Mr. Lakshman Kalasapudi
attempt to provide solutions. Ms. Padmaja Ayyagari
Mr. Rajesh Satyavolu
Published by: Dr. Srinivasa Rao (Editor)
Dr. Vasundhara D. Kalasapudi editor@afhd.org
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Contact:
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5. TITLE PAGES OF FIRST FOUR ISSUES OF CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
HIGHLIGHTS OF JANUARY '06 ISSUE
u Scaling up Primary Education Services in Rural India
u Healthcare in India
u Water Management in 21st Century - Policy and Planning
u Food and Nutrition Through Value Addition to Agri Resources
u Scaling up Primary Health Services in Rural India
u Cross-Fertilization Needed Between Universities & Scientific Labs
u Balasakhi - A Village Voice
u NRI Pioneers - Catalytic Agents for Development
HIGHLIGHTS OF APRIL '06 ISSUE
u Agenda For the Nation: An Approach
u Economic Reforms in India - The Unfinished Agenda
u A Villager's Agenda For a Healthy India
u Consumer Movement - An Agenda
u India's Development - Agenda for NRIs
u Stop Child Poverty
u Could Our Classrooms Shape India's Destiny
u Unscrupulous NGOs are Denting Movement
HIGHLIGHTS OF OCTOBER '06 ISSUE
u Scaling up Primary Education Services in Rural India
u Healthcare in India
u Water Management in 21st Century - Policy and Planning
u Food and Nutrition Through Value Addition to Agri Resources
u Scaling up Primary Health Services in Rural India
u Cross-Fertilization Needed Between Universities & Scientific Labs
u Balasakhi - A Village Voice
u NRI Pioneers - Catalytic Agents for Development
HIGHLIGHTS OF JANUARY '07 ISSUE
u Non Resident Indians' contributions - Answering a Call to Ation
u Eliminating Elephantiasis and Waterborne Diseases
u Association for India's Development - Improving Literacy in Rural India
u Leading India toward Millennium Development Goals
u How Can NRIs Help in Poverty Alleviation
u Is Mega Philanthropy Going to Make a Difference?
u Nobel Peace Prize 2006 - Muhammad Yunus
u Indian National Development Congress

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7. CONTENTS 07
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
PREFACE
08 h Preface by Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy WATER
18 h Water Wars:
WATER National Problems
10 h Case Study of Bhavani River Basin from a Regional
12 h Safe Drinking Water in Villages: A Step Perspective
towards Rural Transformation
15 h Rain Barrels Catalyze Water Harvesting
17 h Empowering Indian Communities to Face
the Water Crisis 21 h Rain Centre in
19 h WaterHealth International Partners with
Chennai, India
Community Leaders and NGOs to Bring
Clean Water to India's Underserved
23 h Rainwater Harvesting in India
25 h The India Water Portal
28 h Odyssey of an NGO: Lessons to Be Learnt
WATER RIGHTS
30 h 'Oorani'- Rain Water Harvesting for Villages
40 h Get Real, Coke:
32 h Pala Thulli - Community Wide Rain Water Water Rights
Harvesting Protest
33 h Integrated Water Systems Management in
South Asia - A Framework for Research
34 h The Benefits of WaterPartners
International's Water Credit Initiative SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
36 h Innovative Approaches to Water Projects 44 h Examples of
in India Social Contribution
38 h IIM Kozhikode Runs on Rainwater from IIT Madras
39 h China's Water Crisis Alumni
WASTE MANAGEMENT
41h Benefits of Using Wastewater in the
CASE STUDY
Production of Agricultural Products
42 h Promoting Effective Waste M anagement: 45 h Gravity Head Ensures
The Clean Himalaya Initiative
a Green Plant and
Sustainability: A
NGO ACTIVITY Case Study of
54 h Meeting Reports Gangtok City
PORTRAIT
57 h Portrait of Dr. K.L. Rao 47 h Sustainable Rural
Water
ESSAY
58 h Water Bond for Safe Drinking water, Essay
Management - A
Replicable
by Dr. Srinivasa Rao
Case Study

8. 08 PREFACE
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
W
hile several aspects of India's multi dimensional water crisis have been discussed
in this issue of Catalyst, there are many which remain conspicuous by their
absence. Because of the interest of the President Abdul Kalam, the Supreme Court
and the political class, interlinking of rivers has been put on the national agenda.
Privatization or corporatization of water distribution system versus status quo under the
inefficient and often corrupt administrative set up of local bodies is another critical issue.
Productivity of using water for growing different crops and optimum way of allocating water
for growing different crops, supplying water as free good versus collecting full or partial
cost of supplying, supplying at least 50 liters per person per day of clean water to all and
resolving interstate water conflicts are some of the other water related issues remain
uncovered in this issue.
Thousands of NGOs are involved with water issues. But most are involved often in the non
controversial projects like water harvesting or development of low cost technology to reuse
waste water. It is because of this, most of our articles may be dealing with this aspect of
water crisis.
No substance is more valuable than water, but none is likely to be more free. In Wealth of
Nations, Adam Smith has referred to this phenomenon as "Diamond-water paradox". We all
know that any good that is available for free is likely to be misused. Still it is difficult to find
NGOs who have the courage to convince the government to price water either in residential
sector for drinking purpose or agricultural sector for producing food crops. In the case of
power sector, at least the central government having realized the folly of giving free power
to farmers are asking the state government to change their policy. But in the case of water,
no political party has dared to take this up.
Because of free power, farmers are depleting ground water at frightening rate. Bore wells
are going deeper. As wells go deeper, arsenic and saltwater can begin to seep in. Already in
Punjab brackish water has infiltrated in several places. There can be no two opinions on the
need to support farmers and so also the poor who are below the poverty line. At the same
time, studies after studies have shown that subsidies do not reach the intended
beneficiaries. In this case these subsidies have created huge problems. Free power along
with free water has given rise to water shortage sometimes on a semi permanent basis.
Unlike energy security which is a well recognized issue by the government, water security
has not yet got the attention it deserves in India. Contamination of water is causing havoc
throughout India causing totally avoidable illness like diarrhoea and sometimes even killing
people. India's NGO movement need to take this problem on a war footing since the
government machinery is totally incapable of solving it despite having many laws and
regulations.
History has shown that from the time of Sumeria water has been a principle source of
conflicts between nations. We in India have started to see the first signs of water conflict
between states in recent years. These can result in constitutional crisis. At this issue goes
to press, Karnataka is in turmoil because of the Kaveri Tribunal's award going against it.
We are likely to see more such conflicts in the future. We need to develop a sound
methodology to settle such interstate water problems in a more objective and scientific way
keeping aside the political and emotional factors.
Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy

10. 10 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Case Study of Bhavani River Basin
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is the need of the hour and River Basin Organisations (RBOs)
are using this for better water management and sustainable development of natural resources.
This article highlights lessons learnt from the Bhavani River Basin Action Research Project.
I
N INDIA, like in many other developing countries in
South Asia, water scarcity and deterioration in water DR. A. RAJAGOPAL is a Development
Economist with a Ph.d from Centre For
quality threaten the basics of food security and the
Development studies, Trivandrum affiliated
foundation of society. Increase in population, escalated
to Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
competition from urbanization, growing urban-rural Since 1991 he has been working on a number
conflicts over water, over-exploitation of ground water, of policy issues in water resources
frequent droughts and floods are the major water management. Presently he is Executive
management issues that the country faces. Managing Director of SaciWATERs (South Asian
competing demands from irrigation, urban and rural Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies),
drinking, industrial sectors and minimum flows for Hyderabad.
environmental purpose, has become a major challenge in
21st century. The existing system of sectoral The National Water Policy, 2002 also emphasized the
arrangements for water management is no longer importance of river basin management. It left the scope
adequate, and there is an urgent need for an integrated and power of the basin organisations to be decided by
approach to deal with these challenges. Integrated Water the states themselves. Most of the rivers in India are
Resources Management (IWRM), through River Basin inter-state in nature, and hence, there is a need for a
Organisations (RBOs), is the main strategy advocated for comprehensive approach to address the many issues of
achieving better water management and sustainable river basin management. However, in practical terms, the
development of natural resources. It is also emphasized experience in RBM is very limited and the country has to
as one of the means of achieving the Millennium go a long way in realizing the benefits of IWRM through
Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty. RBM.
India has few RBOs and all of them are managed by
IWRM and River Basin Management (RBM) in India - the State. They are not functioning well due to excessive
Policy Issues control by the State, and the interests of stakeholders,
India accepted IWRM and RBM as a strategy for water especially the poor, are hardly represented in the
resources development in 1992 following the Dublin management. Given this, it is necessary to explore the
conference. However, the progress on this was dismal scope for an alternative bottom-up approach that
until 1998, when the Government of India appointed a involves stakeholders. This article analyses the
committee to recommend ways and means for opportunities and constraints for such an approach in the
Integrated Water Resources Planning and Development. Bhavani river basin in South India.
The committee recommended the river basin as a unit for
Integrated Water Resources Planning and Development. Case Study of Bhavani River Basin
Bhavani is an important tributary of the Cauvery River in
Map 1 Location of the Bhavani river its mid-reach in Tamilnadu. The river originates from the
basin in the Indian sub continent Silent Valley forest of Kerala, and flows in the south-
eastern direction for 217 kms. The total area of the
Bhavani river basin is 6000 sq km, a major portion (87%)
of which is situated in Tamilnadu (See Map 1).
The 'Lower Bhavani Project' (LBP) is a multi-purpose
reservoir project, constructed mainly for water storage
and distribution to canal systems in the basin. The
reservoir is also used for hydel power generation and
fishing. Apart from this, water diversion dams, viz.
Kodiveri and Kalingarayan, divert water into different
canal systems that have existed for centuries. The Upper
part of the basin is not well developed and depends
mostly upon ground water and rain for agriculture. The

11. WATER
WATER 11
11
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
mostly upon ground water and rain
for agriculture. The river plays an
important role in the economy of
Coimbatore and Erode districts by
providing water for agriculture, drinking,
industrial purposes and for over all
economic development. Due to an
increase in population, unplanned
expansion in the command area, and
increase in the demand for domestic and
industrial water supply, the basin is
already 'closing' and stressed. There is
intense competition among water users
and a sizeable gap between demand and
supply in the agriculture and domestic
Map 2;Bhavani basin map with
sectors. rivers and tributaries
There are conflicts between the old
settlers and the new command farmers
regarding water use in the basin. Under the 'riparian Approach
principles', the old 'ayacutdars'- command farmers - were The basin water management situation has become
entitled to 11 months water supply for growing two or precarious due to the uncoordinated actions of
three paddy crops or annual crops like sugarcane, banana stakeholders. Based on our studies and meetings with
etc, whereas the new 'ayacut' farmers could only grow a different stakeholders (organized by SaciWATERs and
single paddy crop or a dry crop like maize in a year. As Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore), we
long as water supply in the dam was adequate, the realized the need for involving the stakeholders in the
conflict was not pronounced. However, in 2002 the efforts of the State in addressing the issues of water
supply was at an all time low and water was not released resources management in an integrated manner.
to the new command areas at all. This prompted the new Consequently, we organized a Multi-Stakeholders
'ayacutdars' to file a case in the High Court seeking water Dialogue meeting in 2005 wherein farmers, NGOs,
supply for at least one crop. The court asked the government departments, industrialists, social activists,
Government to prepare a compromise formula for etc. discussed various issues. In that meeting, the
sharing water among farmers, but this was rejected by stakeholders agreed to establish a forum to discuss these
them, Negotiations organized by local politicians also issues further rather than resorting to court cases and
failed. The court, in its interim order, has asked the State agitations. The work of the forum, which is likely to
to obtain its permission before opening the dam each become an RBO in the future, continues.
season. Thus, the conflict situation led to the intervention Lessons from the experience: The action research in
of the court in the operation of the reservoir, instead of the Bhavani basin has brought out the following lessons:
the normal procedure of operation by the Irrigation l There is a need for coordinated action by the State in
Department. planning for the development of water resources in an
There is also a conflict between upstream and down area and the river basin offers the scope for such
stream users of the water in the basin. Many upstream planning as a logical -hydrological unit.
users have resorted to direct pumping from the river and l Stakeholders increasingly resort to legal courses (when
this has resulted in a court case by the down stream they lack faith in the existing mechanism) that are costly
farmers. Thus, it is seen that farmers have increasingly and time consuming.
resorted to legal remedies rather than their own l The role of an external party, as an unbiased facilitator,
negotiated efforts. There are also other issues in basin is important in building confidence among different
water management such as increase in demand for water stakeholders in undertaking stakeholders' dialogues.
for domestic and industrial uses, and the problem of l Stakeholders gain faith in the process of dialogues and
pollution of the water by industries. Farmers affected by negotiated settlement of problems only when the
pollution have sought legal remedies and have got closed participation of the State is assured.
some of the polluting textile and chemical units, which l The 'bottom-up approach' needs to be built up as a part
has affected employment opportunities in the area. of the State programme on a large scale.
Dr. A. Rajagopal
Importance of Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue (MSD) Email: rajagopal@saciwaters.org

12. 12 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Safe Drinking Water in Villages:
A Step Towards Rural Transformation
This article highlights the system adopted by Byrraju Foundation to provide safe drinking water in villages.
The Foundation set up 'Sujala' water treatment plants in over 45 villages through public-private partnerships.
W
ATER, ONE of nature's most important gifts to sanitation, agri-advisory services and livelihoods. The
mankind, is an essential element to good vision for the water programme is to provide safe
health. Though 70% of the earth's drinking water, as per WHO standards, in all the
geographical area is covered by water, only 1% of it is participant villages.
potable, the rest being unsafe for consumption. Natural
water sources, especially rivers, canals, ponds, wells, etc. Supply of Drinking Water in Villages
are being exploited, mistreated and contaminated, Improvement in the quality of drinking water significantly
making drinking from them unsafe. Unlike in the inland benefits the health and well being of people. 63% of
areas, in delta regions, an adequate quantity of water is villages the Foundation is working in are dependent on
made available for drinking purposes, often through irrigation canals, while the remaining 37% are dependent
irrigation canals and sometimes through subsurface on ground water. Under RWS Scheme, most of the
sources. Over the years, however, the canal water has villages, especially in delta region, have a pond, fed by
become highly polluted with presence of physical and the irrigation canal at regular intervals, and storing the
chemical impurities, as well as harmful bacteria. required quantity of water. The water in the pond is
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that passed through slow sand filters (SSF) followed by
more than 1.1 billion people across the globe draw water chlorination and pumping into an overhead tank for
from unsafe sources, causing widely spread diseases like distribution through a system of pipes.
diarrhoea. Nearly 70% and 80% of these people live in The quality of raw water in the pond is extremely
rural areas. It is difficult to control the quality of drinking poor, resulting in frequent clogging of SSFs, which are
water even in the most developed countries, and small designed for the raw water turbidity up to 30 NTU.
community water supplies frequently fail on basic However, the actual turbidity is much higher, especially
microbiological quality and other physical impurities, like, during the monsoons, going up to 130 NTU. The SSFs
suspended solids in case of surface water, and total are designed for 16 hours operation, with 3-phase
dissolved solids (TDS) mostly in ground water. power, so as to supply 40 litres of treated water per
The Byrraju Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation capita per day. The 3-phase power is only available for 6-
dedicated to rural transformation, has embarked upon 7 hours a day in most of the villages, making it necessary
providing safe drinking water, conforming to WHO's to pump untreated water as well. Furthermore, lack of
standards, and improving the quality of life in 156 adequate funds does not allow proper maintenance
villages. In most of these villages, tests conducted on the of the SSFs.
available water indicated failure in meeting the drinking
standards, even after filtration and chlorination. To DANDU RADHA PRASADA RAJU holds
doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering
address this issue, the Foundation concluded that one
joined the Government of India two decades
viable option was to separate the drinking water from the ago. Presently, while holding the position of
rest of the water supplied through Rural Water Supply Adviser in Department of Science and
(RWS) scheme in villages. Technology, he is on sabbatical for over 3
years with Byrraju Foundation, an NGO
Foundation's Efforts Towards Provision Of Safe dedicated to rural transformation, working
Drinking Water in the Villages in 172 villages across 6 districts of Andhra Pradesh, impacting
The Foundation is presently working across East a million people. His association with Byrraju Foundation
Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Ranga Reddy, Visakhapatnam resulted in setting up of a number of community based water
and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, directly plants, in public private partnerships, providing safe drinking
impacting over million people, and over double that water in 130 villages on sustainable basis. Byrraju Foundation
has been awarded 'Best Water NGO-Water Quality' in India
number indirectly. Its interventions are in the fields of
during 2006-07 by Water Digest and UNESCO.
healthcare, education, adult literacy, water environment,

13. WATER 13
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(In case of conventional treatment, membranes, high pressure pump and softner are not needed)
Tests on water samples from 153 villages of West the idea of setting up one plant for every three villages
Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Ranga producing 1000-2000 litres of pure water an hour, to be
Reddy districts, supplied through RWS scheme, after operated by trained youth from the villages, who ensure
filtration and chlorination, indicated the presence of sustainability by collecting user charges. The quality of
coliform, turbidity, chlorides and other physical and the produced water is strictly monitored and local Science
chemical impurities. It was observed that 78% of the Colleges are involved in regular testing and controls.
samples did not meet the safe requirements on account A pilot plant, named Sujala, was set up in July 2004 in
of the above parameters. If the need for 0.2 ppm of a village called Gollalakoderu (near Bhimavaram in West
residual chlorine is also considered, 96% villages failed in Godavari district), jointly supported by Gram Panchayat,
meeting such norms. In case of upland areas, which Village Community and Byrraju Foundation. Based on its
depend on ground water, high levels of TDS, including success and the responses from other villages, 45 plants
fluorides, in excess of WHO norms, were observed. have been set up (as on March 2007) in as many villages
on Public-Private Partnership model.
Foundation's Initiatives in Supply of Pure Drinking A schematic diagram outlining the purification system
Water is given above with a period.
In order to reduce the levels of pollution in the irrigation
canals, various initiatives like treating and diverting liquid Operation and Maintenance of Sujala plants
waste into the drainage canals, converting solid waste In order to ensure 100% satisfactory performance of the
into compost manure, burying dead animals, and so on, Sujala plants, the quality of input water is checked
must be followed. Addressing these issues is a gigantic thoroughly for various parameters like turbidity, physical
task, requiring a lot of resources, time and effort. When and chemical impurities, and bacteria, on a continuous
the Foundation highlighted the bad condition of SSFs, the basis. Based on the levels of impurities and bacteria, the
Government made a one-time intervention, taking very process parameters are set for effective removal of the
limited measures in terms of repair and maintenance. same. To overcome the power-cuts, the plant is operated
However, realising the problems, the Foundation on single-phase for 12-16 hours a day on flexible timings,
developed a strategy to address the situation. using voltage stabilisers for maintaining quality of the
power. 100% standby for all the critical components, like
Strategy for the Supply of Pure Water pumps, motors, UV lamps, voltage stabilisers, multi-port
Out of 40 litres per capita per day supplied by RWS, valves and adequate stocks of consumables are ensured.
about 2 litres - 5% of the total - are used for drinking and Annual maintenance contract is entered into, initially for
need to be supplied to the villages. Since it is much easier 5 years, with the suppliers of the plant to ensure trouble
to raise 5% of the water to drinking standards rather free operation. For every 5 Sujala water plants, a
than the entire quantity, the Foundation came up with maintenance team, deployed within close vicinity of the

14. 14 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
W
ATER, ONE of nature's most important gifts to microbiological quality and other physical impurities, like,
mankind, is an essential element to good suspended solids in case of surface water, and total
health. Though 70% of the earth's dissolved solids (TDS) mostly in ground water.
geographical area is covered by water, only 1% of it is The Byrraju Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation
potable, the rest being unsafe for consumption. Natural dedicated to rural transformation, has embarked upon
water sources, especially rivers, canals, ponds, wells, etc. providing safe drinking water, conforming to WHO's
are being exploited, mistreated and contaminated, standards, and improving the quality of life in 156
making drinking from them unsafe. Unlike in the inland villages. In most of these villages, tests conducted on the
areas, in delta regions, an adequate quantity of water is available water indicated failure in meeting the drinking
made available for drinking purposes, often through standards, even after filtration and chlorination. To
irrigation canals and sometimes through subsurface address this issue, the Foundation concluded that one
sources. Over the years, however, the canal water has viable option was to separate the drinking water from the
become highly polluted with presence of physical and rest of the water supplied through Rural Water Supply
chemical impurities, as well as harmful bacteria. (RWS) scheme in villages.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that
more than 1.1 billion people across the globe draw water Foundation's Efforts Towards Provision Of Safe
from unsafe sources, causing widely spread diseases like Drinking Water in the Villages
diarrhoea. Nearly 70% and 80% of these people live in The Foundation is presently working across East
rural areas. It is difficult to control the quality of drinking Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Ranga Reddy, Visakhapatnam
water even in the most developed countries, and small and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, directly
community water supplies frequently fail on basic impacting over million people, and over double that
Cost of Sujala Plant: number indirectly. Its interventions are in the fields of
1. Cost of building(civil construction) 500 sq feet : Rs 300,000 healthcare, education, adult literacy, water environment,
2. Plant and machinery : sanitation, agri-advisory services and livelihoods. The
a.Conventional UV process vision for the water programme is to provide safe
(TDS in raw water <500 ppm) : Rs 400,000 drinking water, as per WHO standards, in all the
b.Reverse osmosis process participant villages.
(TDS in raw water >500 ppm) : Rs 500,000
Requirement of Infrastructure: Supply of Drinking Water in Villages
Connected load (single-phase): 5 KW (for RO plant), 3 KW Improvement in the quality of drinking water significantly
(non-RO plant) benefits the health and well being of people. 63% of
Land (for building) : 1500 sq ft (near main water villages the Foundation is working in are dependent on
source of Gram Panchayat) irrigation canals, while the remaining 37% are dependent
on ground water. Under RWS Scheme, most of the
Ecomomics of Operation:
villages, especially in delta region, have a pond, fed by
a. Rated capacity of plant : 1000 litres per hour
(output-RO process) the irrigation canal at regular intervals, and storing the
b. Number of hours of operation : 7 hours required quantity of water. The water in the pond is
c. Production of pure water : 6500 litres a day passed through slow sand filters (SSF) followed by
(minimum/average) chlorination and pumping into an overhead tank for
d. Distribution of water : 6000 litres a day distribution through a system of pipes.
(minimum/average) The quality of raw water in the pond is extremely
e. Expenditure (per month): : Rs 17500
poor, resulting in frequent clogging of SSFs, which are
- Emoluments/wages : Rs 7500
(operator/helper- 3 persons @ Rs 2500 pm) designed for the raw water turbidity up to 30 NTU.
- Power (Rs 4 per unit, 20 units a day) : Rs 2500 However, the actual turbidity is much higher, especially
- Consumables : Rs 2000 during the monsoons, going up to 130 NTU. The SSFs
(alum, chlorine, detergent, filters, etc) are designed for 16 hours operation, with 3-phase
- Annual maintenance charges : Rs 2000 power, so as to supply 40 litres of treated water per
- Depreciation : Rs 2000
Prasada Raju
- Incidental expenses : Rs 1500
Email: prasadarajudr@yahoo.com
f. Collection of user charges(@ 12.5 paise a litre): Rs 22500
References:
g.Surplus : Rs 5000 Statistics on water:
‘The facility of levying concessional tariff for consumption of power, as
WaterPartners International http://www.water.org/resources/waterfacts.htm
allowed to Public water Schemes in villages, usually 10% of normal rate Aquastat http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/main/index.stm
as mentioned above, reduces the charges for running of plant making the Byrraju Foundation: http://www.byrrajufoundation.org/villagesfaq.htm
unit break-even at 5300 litres of water distributed a day’. Statistics: http://www.unicef.org/wes/index_statistics.html

15. WATER 15
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Rain Barrels Catalyze Water Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting through the rain barrel generates water for productive use that would otherwise go waste.
This article shows how the Rainwater Club of Bangalore has used this approach effectively.
T
he potential of rainwater harvesting has been much
talked about in recent times. But that an ordinary
plastic water storage drum, connected to the roof SHREE PADRE is a journalist with many
through a pipe, can harvest water is a fact that many years of experience in agricultural reporting.
citizens in the Bangalore-Mysore region of India find He is the author of several books, including
surprising. one on rainwater harvesting, published by
The Rainwater Club of Bangalore is an organization Altermedia.
intent on disseminating information on rainwater
harvesting. It is run by S.Vishwanath, a water activist of
international repute. When Vishwanath showed a small water by a bucket or by using a hosepipe.
plastic drum that collects rainwater to a team of women A gate valve is fitted at the end of the down pipe to
slum dwellers of Chamarajpet, Bangalore, they allow the water from the first rains of the season to run
exclaimed, "Ishtena, ishtena?" (Is it this simple, this out. After 2-3 rains, the valve is closed and the rainwater
simple?). flows into the barrel. On top of the drum is a filter to
These women will now install rainwater tanks in at improve the quality of the collected rainwater. This is a
least 200 houses with the help of a local NGO, small-perforated aluminium/stainless steel basin with two
Rayapuram Development Society. layers of sponge on it. Regarding the thickness of the
On another occasion, a Gram Panchayat member sponge, Vishwanath says, "Oh! Don't worry much on
from Anekal was so moved by this simple idea that he this. If sponge is not easy available, you can place a
immediately decided to build a 10,000 litre Rainwater three-fold layer of ordinary dhoti."
Storage tank in his village. The sponge filter can be seen from the outside, and
This system, presented to the slum women and Gram when it is visibly clogged, it is cleaned by washing in a
Panchayat member, is called a 'Rain Barrel', "A simple way bucket of water. Cleaning 3 or 4 times in a year may be
for people to start harvesting rainwater", according to enough and there
Vishwanath. is no need to
Most people are not aware of how much rainwater replace the sponge
pours on their house-site or campus, and are not sheet.
psychologically prepared to accept such water as potable. A rain barrel
"It is this entry barrier that is most difficult to break", can collect a
opines Vishwanath. Here the rain barrel comes in handy, substantial amount
easing away the mental block, and serving as a catalyst of water, given it is The rain barrel's filter is sponge.
for rainwater harvesting. emptied every time
The rain barrel system is based on an ordinary plastic it rains. Assuming that the user empties the barrel once
rainwater storage drum everyday (during the rainy season), a 50 sqm roof,
A rain barrel connected available anywhere. The connected to a 500 litre rain barrel, can collect nearly
to the roof through a
PVC pipe. capturing area (roof or 23,000 litres of rainwater in a year, under Bangalore
terrace) is cleaned once conditions. Similarly, a 1000 litre rain barrel can collect
at the beginning of the nearly 35,000 litres of water in a year. In many parts of
monsoon. Due to the Kerala, with over 100 days of rain annually, a 500 litre
gravitational pull, the can collect around 40,000 litres!
rain that falls on the The space required for a 500 litre rain barrel is four
roof reaches the drum cubic feet and has an installation cost of about Rs 2500,
through a PVC down while a 1000 litre rain barrel would cost approximately
pipe. For convenience, Rs 4300.
the rain barrel is placed Every rain barrel has a tap and an overflow outlet. The
on a platform 18 inches water collected can be used to recharge open wells or
above the ground to bore wells. Using a hosepipe and a Zero-B type filter,
facilitate the drawl of which costs about Rs 60, the tap can be connected to the

16. 16 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
T
he potential of rainwater harvesting has psychologically prepared to accept such water as
been much talked about in recent times. potable. "It is this entry barrier that is most
But that an ordinary plastic water storage difficult to break", opines Vishwanath. Here the
drum, connected to the roof through a pipe, can rain barrel comes in handy, easing away the
harvest water is a fact that many citizens in the mental block, and serving as a catalyst for
Bangalore-Mysore region of India find surprising. rainwater harvesting.
The Rainwater Club of Bangalore is an S.VISHWANATH The rain barrel system is based on an ordinary
organization intent on disseminating information of Bangalore's plastic rainwater storage drum available
on rainwater harvesting. It is run by Rainwater Club anywhere. The capturing area (roof or terrace) is
S.Vishwanath, a water activist of international cleaned once at the beginning of the monsoon.
repute. When Vishwanath showed a small plastic drum Due to the gravitational pull, the rain that falls on the
that collects rainwater to a team of women slum dwellers roof reaches the drum through a PVC down pipe. For
of Chamarajpet, Bangalore, they exclaimed, "Ishtena, convenience, the rain barrel is placed on a platform 18
ishtena?" (Is it this simple, this simple?). inches above the ground to facilitate the drawl of water
These women will now install rainwater tanks in at by a bucket or by using a hosepipe.
least 200 houses with the help of a local NGO, A gate valve is fitted at the end of the down pipe to
Rayapuram Development Society. allow the water from the first rains of the season to run
On another occasion, a Gram Panchayat member out. After 2-3 rains, the valve is closed and the rainwater
from Anekal was so moved by this simple idea that he flows into the barrel. On top of the drum is a filter to
immediately decided to build a 10,000 litre Rainwater improve the quality of the collected rainwater. This is a
Storage tank in his village. small-perforated aluminium/stainless steel basin with two
This system, presented to the slum women and Gram Shree Padre
Panchayat member, is called a 'Rain Barrel', "A simple way Email: shreepadre@sancharnet.in
for people to start harvesting rainwater", according to Rainwater Club
Vishwanath. #264, 6TH Main, 6th Block, Vidyaranyapura, BEL Layout,
Most people are not aware of how much rainwater Bangalore 560097. Phone: +91-80-23641690
pours on their house-site or campus, and are not http://www.rainwaterclub.org
Water Conservation at
Motor Industries Company in India
Water is everywhere. Yet about 97% of it is salty sea water and 2% is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps, which
makes the remaining 1% a precious commodity, indispensable for our survival. This lifeline is today - contaminated
and polluted. So water and other natural resource conservation are regarded seriously in the Bosch Environmental
Management System. Environmental protection plays a significant role in stimulating and guiding product
innovation. The pollution control measures we practice at Motor Industries Co. include automated effluent
treatment plants, prevention of soil and ground water contamination, and minimized usage of hazardous chemicals.
Water treatment
At Motor Industries, we employ technologies like Extended Aeration, Reverse Osmosis and Ion Exchange for
treatment and reuse of domestic and process waste water. This has resulted in 40% reduction of fresh water usage.
Treated effluent
About 800,000 litres of treated effluent per day are reused for secondary purposes like gardening and toilet flushing.
More than 10,000 trees of different species, in addition to a garden of medicinal plants, are nurtured with the treated
effluent.
Rain water harvesting
At our Jaipur Plant (Jaipur receives less than 300 mm of rainfall annually), the entire rain water runoff from the
premises is recharged into the ground, thereby improving the quality and quantity of available ground water. In the
last three years, more than 12 Million litres of rain water have been recharged in to the ground.
by K.P. Murthy, Mico Bosch, India

17. WATER 17
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Empowering Indian Communities
to Face the Water Crisis
Water quality testing infrastructure in India is still weak. This article recommends decentralized system of
water testing alongwith community-based quality monitoring and the use of field test kits.
F
RESH WATER, that was once considered to be an SS MEENAKSHI SUNDARAM has had 36
infinitely renewable natural resource, is no longer years of experience as officer of the Indian
available in plenty. Several countries are now Administrative Service. Besides working in
experiencing serious fresh water supply problems on the Prime Minister's Office with three
account of increasing demand due to population different Prime Ministers, he was Secretary to
pressure, over exploitation, rapid growth in agriculture, Government of India in the Ministries of
industry and urbanization. In India, the per capita water Rural Development, Disinvestment, Space
availability, which was over 5,000 cubic meters per and Atomic Energy. After retiring from the
IAS, he is currently a Visiting Professor at the National Institute
annum in 1950, has now come down to less than 2,000
of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.
cubic meters*. Though the country has made significant
progress with regard to drinking water, thanks to the
sustained efforts of the Central and State Governments, testing has to be introduced. Adoption of community
heavy dependence on ground water, coupled with based water quality monitoring, and involvement of
inadequate recharging efforts and the neglect of health department in water quality surveillance, might
traditional practices like rain water harvesting, have also mitigate the quality problems. A "catchment area
resulted in the depletion of ground water levels. This has approach", involving locally available infrastructure and
brought about water quality problems in several parts of institutions for water quality testing at the habitation
the country. This article will examine the quality level, with the help of village panchayats and the district
problems, which, so far, have not received adequate labs, needs to be advocated.
attention in the Indian context. To implement the community based catchment area
Despite improved coverage and access to water approach on a large scale, user friendly and reliable water
supply, nearly 400,000** children, under the age of five, quality field test kits should be made available. Although
die in India due to diarrhoeal diseases attributable to some test kits are now seen in the Indian market, it is
contaminated water and poor hygiene practices. Apart necessary to closely scrutinize their efficacy on the two
from this, other major water quality problems include counts - user-friendliness and reliability - so that their
high salinity and high fluoride, arsenic, iron and nitrate potential for large scale use can be determined. Secondly,
concentrations. While some water quality problems are standardization of these kits may be necessary to
of geological origin, others are man-made. Unlike iron facilitate local manufacture, training community
and salinity, the presence of arsenic, fluoride or representatives, as well as for decentralized marketing of
bacteriological pollution does not result in an easily these kits in district/block level shops. There is also a
identifiable change in colour or taste. As a result, a large need for an institutional arrangement for assuring quality,
number of people unknowingly drink contaminated receiving feedback from the users, and periodical design
water. refinement of these kits. There is a substantial scope for
Water quality testing infrastructure in India is still private-public participation in designing, producing and
weak. Some districts do not have qualified labs, while marketing these kits. Empowering the communities in
others do not have qualified staff or adequate transport testing water quality of their own sources is the only way
facilities. The dispersed nature of water sources poses for users to know if their water sources are safe. Only
immense logistics problems in transporting samples to then they can initiate timely remedial action.
the district labs and conveying results to the community,
S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram
as frequently as is necessary. Although regular sanitary Email: meenakshi54@hotmail.com
inspections are prescribed to prevent bacteriological
References:
pollution, these are seldom conducted. * Centre for Science and Environment: http://www.cseindia.org/dte
What then is the solution? Provision of safe water supplement/industry20040215/ agriculture.htm
sources and treatment units should get the highest ** UNICEF
priority. In addition, a decentralized system of water UK:www.unicef.org.uk/fundraising/resources/unicef_interfaith_action_hindus.pdf

18. 18 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Water Wars: National Problems
from a Regional Perspective
Shortage of water and inefficient management of water resources have led to several inter-state water disputes in India.
This article points out the necessity of adopting a regional focus iin the resolution of water problems at the national level.
T
here have been inter-state water disputes ever since PROF. RAMAMURTHI RALLAPALLI
India gained independence. Inter state disputes (Ph.D., D.Sc) is a former Vice-Chancellor of
include the disputes between Punjab, Haryana and S,V.University in Tirupati, and is General
Rajasthan over Sutlej-Yamuna,Tamilnadu and Karnataka President of the 2008 Indian Science
over Cauveri waters, and Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Congress. 'He is an Environmental and
over Krishna waters. Tribunals were constituted to Biomedical Scientist of international
develop a formula but political undertones pushed these reputation. He is a fellow of Indian National
tribunals into inaction. The most glaring example is the Science Academy (F.N.A.Sc)., National
Cauveri water tribunal to sort out the claims of Academy of Sciences,India (F.N.A), Received ISCA
Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. The award declared Millennium Plaque of Honor award from Hon'ble Prime
Minister of India, Jan, 2006
after an inexplicably protracted delay of seventeen years
in February 2007 received more criticism than awareness and implementation of water saving practices,
appreciation. As the river flows through several states, an the problems of water shortage are actually accentuated.
ideal apportionment has been a challenging task and has While interlinking of rivers advocated by Late K.L.Rao
eluded a universally acceptable verdict. The announced who was dreaming of National water grid has been
verdict is not acceptable to Karanataka and the state is discussed and debated several times, regional and
preparing for long verbal, legal and social wars through within the state water resources could be linked. For
life paralyzing bandhs and an all party delegation of example linking of Godavari - Krishna, Galeru - Nagari,
politicians taking the matter to courts and to the Central and Handri - Neva in Andhra Pradesh may provide much
Government. What goes beyond the imagination of sane needed access to water for irrigation and drinking in
thinking citizens is the lack of realization that gone are several districts. This is what is being done in Andhra
the days of easy availability of surface and ground water. Pradesh.
Due to the lack of control over sinking of bore wells and If a concerted proactive approach is made, many
water problems could be solved.
Success stories such as Krishna
water being sent to Chennai
through the Telugu Ganga project
is solving to a great extent the
drinking water problems of
Chennai. This should act as a
model for social political vision for
State leaders. Public /private
partnerships and industry
involvement should lead the way
for quenching thirst of millions
whose basic access to clean
drinking water is denied. The
Olavanna experiment in Kerala, the
Byrraju Foundation projects in
Andhra Pradesh and Sri Satya Sai
water projects have shown the way
for public/private partnerships and
Ramamurthi Rallapalli
Email: ramamurthi.rallapalli@gmail.com

19. WATER 19
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
WaterHealth International Partners with
Community Leaders and NGOs to Bring
Clean Water to India's Underserved
This article presents the experience of WaterHealth International in catering to the water needs of rural communities. It
uses a partnership approach to extend ongoing outreach and education programs that effectively communicate the
relationship between clean water, improved hygiene and good health.
A
PPROXIMATELY 70 percent of India's citizens live TRALANCE ADDY earned BA and BS
in rural communities, with poor, if any, access to degrees in chemistry and mechanical
potable water*. Addressing this need has been a engineering simultaneously from
daunting challenge for governments, private industry and Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, in 1969,
and subsequently earned MS and PhD
NGOs alike. In response to the crisis, WaterHealth
degrees in engineering from the University of
International (WHI) is redefining the way potable water Massachusetts at Amherst. Prior to joining
is provided to the world's underserved populations. WaterHealth, Dr. Addy was an international
vice president of Johnson & Johnson, and a member of the
Breakthrough Technology Global Management Committee of Johnson & Johnson Medical,
The foundation of the company's products is a versatile, Inc. He is a recipient of several corporate awards for innovation
innovative technology platform. The patented, award- and entrepreneurship, and the holder of 13 US and
winning technology, UV Waterworks™, employs a international patents.
unique air-suspended ultra-violet process that is gravity
driven, and features a contoured flow channel instead of sizes. Non-proprietary components that are coupled with
a cylindrical pipe. UV disinfection is an extremely safe, UVW in WHI's installations are readily available in most
reliable and environmentally superior method of parts of the world. Ease-of-use and low maintenance
disinfecting water. UVW delivers a high dose of this requirements mean that the systems can be deployed
radiation that inactivates micro organisms through even in the most remote locations.
disruption of their DNA processes. The technology was
invented at the, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories A Unique Approach to Sustainability
in California by Dr. Ashok Gadgil, a Staff Scientist, who WaterHealth International's unique business approach to
also holds the position of VP of Scientific Affairs of WHI. reaching the underserved includes financing for the
He has received wide international acclaim for his purchase and installation of the systems. This makes it
invention and its ability to deliver high-quality water at possible to deliver comprehensive and integrated
very low cost. The high quality of water meets the products for safe, clean water, even to communities once
potable water standards of the World Health considered "unreachable".
Organization. User fees for treated water are used to service the
In both its operational characteristics and application financing costs and to cover the expenses of operating
potential, the UV Waterworks process and system design and maintaining the equipment and facility. The
represent a significant departure from the existing company hires and trains local residents of the
purification processes. For deployment in rugged communities it serves to operate and perform the day-to-
environments and locations with little technology day maintenance of these "micro-utilities". This creates
infrastructure it has significant advantages over employment and builds capacity, as well as spawns
technologies such as conventional UV systems, reverse entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents to
osmosis, ozonation and chlorination, among others. provide related services, such as delivery of the purified
Benefits of the technology include high efficacy water to outlying areas.
combined with high throughput, a small footprint, and Because the facilities are owned by the communities in
long-term reliability. The modular design means that which they are installed, the user fee becomes an
systems can be scaled to serve communities of various important source of revenue for communities after the

20. 20 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
A
PPROXIMATELY 70 percent of India's citizens live systems can be scaled to serve communities of various
in rural communities, with poor, if any, access to sizes. Non-proprietary components that are coupled with
potable water*. Addressing this need has been a UVW in WHI's installations are readily available in most
daunting challenge for governments, private industry parts of the world. Ease-of-use and low maintenance
and NGOs alike. In response to the crisis, WaterHealth requirements mean that the systems can be deployed
International (WHI) is redefining the way potable water even in the most remote locations.
is provided to the world's underserved populations.
A Unique Approach to Sustainability
Breakthrough Technology WaterHealth International's unique business approach to
The foundation of the company's products is a versatile, reaching the underserved includes financing for the
innovative technology platform. The patented, award- purchase and installation of the systems. This makes it
winning technology, UV Waterworks™, employs a possible to deliver comprehensive and integrated
unique air-suspended ultra-violet process that is gravity products for safe, clean water, even to communities once
driven, and features a contoured flow channel instead of considered "unreachable".
a cylindrical pipe. UV disinfection is an extremely safe, User fees for treated water are used to service the
reliable and environmentally superior method of financing costs and to cover the expenses of operating
disinfecting water. UVW delivers a high dose of this and maintaining the equipment and facility. The
radiation that inactivates micro organisms through company hires and trains local residents of the
disruption of their DNA processes. The technology was communities it serves to operate and perform the day-to-
invented at the, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories day maintenance of these "micro-utilities". This creates
in California by Dr. Ashok Gadgil, a Staff Scientist, who employment and builds capacity, as well as spawns
also holds the position of VP of Scientific Affairs of WHI. entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents to
He has received wide international acclaim for his provide related services, such as delivery of the purified
invention and its ability to deliver high-quality water at water to outlying areas.
very low cost. The high quality of water meets the Because the facilities are owned by the communities in
potable water standards of the World Health which they are installed, the user fee becomes an
Organization. important source of revenue for communities after the
In both its operational characteristics and application loans are repaid.
potential, the UV Waterworks process and system design
represent a significant departure from the existing Partnering for Effective Public Outreach and
purification processes. For deployment in rugged Education
environments and locations with little technology Community involvement and knowledge are vital factors
infrastructure it has significant advantages over in the widespread and lasting adoption of practices to
technologies such as conventional UV systems, reverse win the fight against waterborne diseases. In the
osmosis, ozonation and chlorination, among others. communities it serves, WaterHealth develops
Benefits of the technology include high efficacy partnerships with healthcare professionals and
combined with high throughput, a small footprint, and Dr. Tralance Addy
long-term reliability. The modular design means that Email: taddy@plebys.com
Water-Related Disease Facts
1. The leading cause of child death in the world is Diarrhea.
2. Of the 37 major diseases in developing countries, 21 are water and sanitation related.
3. Each year, children under five suffer 1.5 billion episodes of diarrhea, four million of which are fatal.
4. No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than does the provision of
safe drinking water and proper disposal of human excreta.
5. At any given time, half the people in developing countries are suffering from water-related diseases
Reference:
WaterPartners International Fact Sheet from www.water.org, Email: info@water.org

21. WATER 21
11
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Rain Centre in Chennai, India
This article showcases the activities of the Rain Centre, the first Indian organisation to provide assistance and
information on rainwater harvesting. Situated in Chennai, the rain Centre also serves as a one-stop information centre.
A
FEW like-minded people formed the Akash Ganga SHEKAR RAGHAVAN is a Physicist by
Trust in January 2001. On August 21, 2002, the Trust education and training. He received his Ph.D.
launched Chennai's Rain Centre, the first of its kind in in 1976 from Madras University in the area of
the country, is a one-stop information and assistance center High Energy Physics. For the past ten years,
on rainwater harvesting. This Centre was inaugurated by the he has been involved in a door to door
Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. campaign in the city of Chennai trying to
The initial seed money for the Center came from a few create awareness about the importance of
non-resident Indians living in the U.S. Further support, in the RWH in urban areas. It all started in Besant
form of resource material, was provided by the Centre for Nagar. For the past four years, he has been with the Rain Centre
as its Director. Before that he was with Centre for Policy studies
Science and Environment, an NGO headquartered in New
for about eight years where he met Mukundan.
Delhi. The State Government of Tamil Nadu is also one of the
co-sponsors.
The Rain Centre, which is open to all, charges no fee for cisterns equipped with sand filters to enable immediate
its services. Its activities, carried out with the funds received use of the water, and with overflow directed to traditional
by the Akash Ganga Trust through donations, are dug wells for use and recharge purposes;
summarized below. The Centre has been involved in the c. Trapping of surface runoff on individual properties through
promotion of urban Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) since its shallow trenches dug and directed in such a way as to
launch three years ago. direct the trapped water into a recharge well.
4. Video film shows on RWH are presented periodically for
Education the general public.
1. A number of large sized colorful poster panels, 5. Resource materials like booklets, posters etc. have been
highlighting the value of water and the importance of prepared in English and Tamil and are provided at a
RWH, are on permanent exhibition in the Rain Centre. nominal cost. The posters have also been pasted in public
2. Working models in the Centre demonstrate RWH both places, where people tend to assemble, like the Divisional
from flat and sloping roofs and from ground surface and Zonal offices of the Municipal Corporation and
runoff. Chennai Metrowater, post offices, marriage halls, bank
3. Different types of actual RWH systems have been installed branches, and school and college notice boards.
in the Centre's premises, e.g.: 6. A publicity button was prepared and worn by Trust
a. Diversion of rooftop rainwater into plastic tanks above members in order to publicize RWH. A sign saying
ground, for immediate use; "RAINWATER HARVESTING DONE IN THIS PLOT",
b. Diversion of rainwater into below-ground masonry distributed to people who have implemented harvesting
in their respective premises, also generates
publicity when it is fixed on the gates so as
to attract the curiosity of passersby.
7. During the last couple of years, students
from several schools and colleges have
visited the rain centre and learnt about
RWH. Key persons from the centre have
also visited several institutions, both within
and outside the city and the state, to give
talks, make video presentations and
organize exhibitions about RWH.
8. Several NGOs, working in both water
sector and other areas, have visited the rain
centre.
9. Seminars and workshops have also been
organized in the centre.

22. 22 WATER
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Collect roof water First flush Filter Sump Well
A
FEW like-minded people formed the Akash Ganga 1. A number of large sized colorful poster panels,
Trust in January 2001. On August 21, 2002, the Trust highlighting the value of water and the importance of
launched Chennai's Rain Centre, the first of its kind in RWH, are on permanent exhibition in the Rain Centre.
the country, is a one-stop information and assistance center 2. Working models in the Centre demonstrate RWH both
on rainwater harvesting. This Centre was inaugurated by the from flat and sloping roofs and from ground surface
Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. runoff.
The initial seed money for the Center came from a few 3. Different types of actual RWH systems have been installed
non-resident Indians living in the U.S. Further support, in the in the Centre's premises, e.g.:
form of resource material, was provided by the Centre for a. Diversion of rooftop rainwater into plastic tanks above
Science and Environment, an NGO headquartered in New ground, for immediate use;
Delhi. The State Government of Tamil Nadu is also one of the b. Diversion of rainwater into below-ground masonry
co-sponsors. cisterns equipped with sand filters to enable immediate
The Rain Centre, which is open to all, charges no fee for use of the water, and with overflow directed to traditional
its services. Its activities, carried out with the funds received dug wells for use and recharge purposes;
by the Akash Ganga Trust through donations, are c. Trapping of surface runoff on individual properties through
summarized below. The Centre has been involved in the shallow trenches dug and directed in such a way as to
promotion of urban Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) since its direct the trapped water into a recharge well.
launch three years ago. 4. Video film shows on RWH are presented periodically for
the general public.
Education 5. Resource materials like booklets, posters etc. have been
prepared in English and Tamil and are provided at a
nominal cost. The posters have also been pasted in public
places, where people tend to assemble, like the Divisional
and Zonal offices of the Municipal Corporation and
Chennai Metrowater, post offices, marriage halls, bank
branches, and school and college notice boards.
6. A publicity button was prepared and worn by Trust
members in order to publicize RWH. A sign saying
"RAINWATER HARVESTING DONE IN THIS PLOT",
distributed to people who have implemented harvesting
Shekar Raghavan
Executive Director, Rain Centre
Email: shekar1479@yahoo.co.in
Rain Centre is located at 4, Third Trust Link Road in Mandavallipakkam. It
is located off Santhome High Road near the Registrar's office. The
telephone number at the centre is (044) 2461-6134. The website is
http://www.raincentre.org.

23. WATER 23
CATALYST FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Rainwater Harvesting in India
Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) is known to India from the past few centuries. With increasing water crisis, there is an urgent
need for practising and popularising rainwater harvesting. The article provides an insight into the prevalent practices.
C
APTURE RAIN water, store it and use it - it is as RAM KRISHNAN was born in Trivandrum,
simple as that". Collect the rain water falling on schooled in Madras, Delhi and Bombay. Ram
house tops, collection ponds, lakes, open areas is an alumnus of IIT Madras. He graduated in
with natural grading. Rain water is naturally pure 1967 with a B.Tech and M.Tech. He founded
(excepting where it becomes acid rain due to industrial and operated a Logistics Consulting
pollution); ground water could be brackish or polluted company for 15 years in the US. After
with various contaminants. working in the Minnesota, US for 30 years,
Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) was practiced in India Ram Krishnan, for the past few years, spends
even before the British installed municipal pipelines. As 3 months in India every year, learning, working and
the population of India rose from 100 million in the advocating for the poor in India's villages.
1900's to 1,027 million in 2005, the demand for drinking
water increased many fold. The population increase also highest rainfall country in the world and almost 90% of
saw many water bodies in both urban and rural areas this rainfall reaches the ocean.
covered by buildings and other structures.
RWH in Urban Locations
Rain falling on the roof and the sides of the building is
collected, filtered and charged. For a single family house
in a metro city, the only additional investment (about Rs
2000) is the installation of PVC pipes. Installing a RWH
unit in a multiple tenant flat complex with 25 families will
cost about Rs 50,000.
In the picture on the left, a metro home owner needs
to install only items 2, 3, 4 and 9. All other items - sump,
electric pump, overhead storage - already exist to receive
and distribute the city delivered water.
RWH Unit Costs - Starting Estimates (2001 Costs)
The actual costs depend upon specific RWH design,
size of the facility/ house, and percent of rain water
Water Everywhere Starts as Rain harvested and stored. Given below are a few unit costs:
Rain is the source of all water in the world. 97.5% of lSump: (only if required) 12,000 litre sumps costs about
the world's supply of water is salt water in the oceans and Rs 50,000 (about Rs
1.5% of water is in the arctic glaciers. The remaining 1% 3.50 per litre for large
goes through the water cycle. India receives the 6th sumps).
lDrain pipes cost around
Rs 15 to Rs 30 per
running foot.
lBends and elbows
around Rs 20 to Rs
75 per piece.
lFilter chamber 2'x2'x2'
with pebbles and
sand cost
Rs 1,500.
l10' deep percolation
pit with sand,
pebbles, air vent and
a perforated slab on