To harvest rainwater and recharge the ground water table, members of Raja Annamalaipuram Residents Association (RAPRA) have created 10 additional rainwater harvesting wells. The underground rainwater wells have been sunk on the walkers’ pathways In July, RAPRA first sunk two wells — one on Fourth Cross Street and the other on First Main Road. Under the second phase, the wells have been sunk on Third Cross Street, Fourth Main Road, First Cross Road, Sixth Main Road, Third Main Road and Second Cross Road. R. Chandrasekaran, founder, RAPRA, said, “The wells have been constructed between the stormwater drains, which carry rain water to Buckingham Canal. The rainwater from stormwater drains will be harvested in the wells, recharging the ground water table.” At the mouth of each well, fibro plastic jolly filters have been fitted to draw rainwater to prevent inundation around the well area. Earlier, in the absence of the harvesting facility, water used to stagnate. The filter will also prevent solid particles from entering the well. The wells, sunk for a depth of 15-feet and a width of three feet, have been put after obtaining necessary permission from the Greater Chennai Corporation. They have the capacity to store 3,000 litres of water. The wells were constructed at a cost of ? 19, 500 each by a team of resource persons from The Rain Centre, funded by the members of the association and the residents. Sekhar Raghavan of The Rain Centre, says, “The rain water should not enter the sea, it should be pushed into the soil to recharge the ground water. The ground soil will filter the water enabling more storage of rain water,” For details, contact Dr R. Chandrasekaran at 98410 30040.

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