When it pours in parched Chennai, residents try to harvest every drop

Looks like the unprecedented water scarcity in Chennai has made many conscious of wasting even a drop of rain water.

On June 26, when Chennai city was revelling in the downpour that lasted for almost an hour in many parts, there was also a group that considered it important to collect every drop of it.

One such resident was Dr J Amalorpavanathan, a retired government doctor, and a resident of Anna Nagar. Just placing vessels and containers of all sizes possible, he and his family collected 70 litres of water.

He said, “We have been managing well during the scarcity with enough groundwater in our area. However, I think it is important for each of us take these small measures. We have a rain water harvesting system in place in our 400-flat complex. However, that will recharge ground water and I think, collecting water directly in vessels can help me immediately for my water needs. It is more than half of my daily water consumption. I can use this for washing clothes and taking a bath.” He also added that he has resorted to reuse water from washing machine outlets for use in toilets.

Placing two barrels that have been out of use for months in the storeroom, Narayanan, a resident of T Nagar has saved enough to use for car wash, watering plants and in the kitchen. He said, “This was an old tactic we employed during my childhood days. Now with this scarcity, I thought about reviving it. Only difference is that instead of huge earthen vessels I have the barrels.”

Sabari Terrace, an apartment complex on the OMR in Sholinganallur has been reeling under the shortage too. Having spent considerable time and energy haggling with tankers finding ways to ferry water to the complex and getting residents to ration water, the apartment residents have been determined to conserve and optimise utilisation.

The downpour on Wednesday has resulted in over 50,000 litres of water that will meet more than a day’s need of 50-odd flats in the complex. Their harvesting technique has come in handy and they don’t have to depend much on tankers, says Harsh Koda, secretary of Sabari Terrace. “Our usage is 30,000 litres a day. So, 50,000 litres from the rain, reduces our dependence on tankers for a while,” he added.

The rainwater is sent directly to storage tanks from the 25,000 square foot terrace, while surplus water is routed into the ground.