Optimal water usage through RWH structure in schools

Move to protect available water sources is paying dividends

MADURAI

A conscious move to protect available sources of water by establishing rainwater harvesting structures in government and corporation schools in the district is paying dividends.

While the district administration has identified a total of 51 such schools in Usilampatti, Chellampatti, Kottampatti, Melur, Tirumangalam and Alanganallur blocks, the Corporation has set up these structures in six schools.

Additional Collector S. P. Amrith says that these structures are special as they are ‘rainwater reuse structures.’ “If additional rainwater is collected, it goes straight to the ground, helping in recharge too,” he says.

Water from rooftops is allowed through a filter to remove any solid waste particles. The filtered water enters a sump which is pumped to supply drinking water to the students.

In corporation schools, the structure can hold up to 13,600 litres of water whereas those in government high schools and higher secondary schools can hold up to 30,000 litres.

The Additional Collector says that the 51 schools in the stated blocks were chosen because they were adversely affected by the lack of local sources.

“We surveyed all the 13 blocks in Madurai and found that eight of them were either critical or overexploited blocks. In these affected blocks, we found 51 schools with over 2,000 sq. feet rooftop area to establish our rainwater reuse structure and decided to go ahead with provision of permissions and sanctions,” he said.

Currently, a total of eight structures have been built and 12 have received administrative sanctions in the rural limits.

Earlier, in most of the corporation schools, drinking water was provided by treating groundwater through Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants.

“Two out of the three RO plants have been dysfunctional since installation and the water table has decreased due to a number of projects in and around the school. This project has provided a respite,” says B. Balumani, Assistant Headmaster, Avvai Corporation Girls’ Higher Secondary School.

“As the student strength in our school is higher, the borewells alone were not sufficient to meet our water demand. By harvesting rainwater, we are now able to meet drinking water needs and the excess water is used for hand-washing,” says A. Esther Emma Olive, Headmistress of Corporation Thiru. Vi. Ka. Higher Secondary School.

Additional Director Panchayat A. Chelladurai says that the structures become a necessity in areas like Usilampatti where there is excess stress on local sources and groundwater.

“Until the construction of these structures, we had provided drinking water from the Cauvery Integrated Drinking Water Scheme and from the Vaigai river. For bathing and washing, water was provided from local sources — usually groundwater. Although some areas like Vadipatti have water just 150 feet below ground, depth varies from 600 feet to 1,000 feet in Usilampatti and Chellampatti,” he says.

Headmistress of Kasturba Gandhi Girls Higher Secondary School R. Murugeswari says, “Unlike the RO process, there is less wastage of water on this system. It will also help in bringing down the electricity bill,” she adds.

Some more corporation schools have also set up water management committees constituting students to sensitise others to the importance of saving water, says Mr. Balumani.

“The committee ensures that the tank and terrace are regularly cleaned as well,” he adds.

With the regular supply of water for drinking and toilets for the schools, the harvested rainwater will act as a cushion to meet water needs during summer, says B. Saravana Kumar, Project Executive, Dhan Foundation.

Mr. Amrith says that they have been routing funds through the Self Sufficiency Scheme (SSS) and by partnering with private institutions.

“We are in the process of preparing project reports and seeking funds under different schemes as well. The project began gaining momentum after the central government’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan- a water conservation campaign came into existence,” he says.

Corporation Commissioner S. Visakan says that the project will be extended to corporation schools where the roofs are large enough to save the rainwater.

“A total of 60 corporation buildings, including schools, have been identified, where the rainwater harvesting structures will be erected. The work will commence shortly,” he says.

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