RWH using Open Terrace Area as Proof of Concept: Help Required - Trivandrum, Kerala
Submitted by iwp on July 8, 2009 - 10:51
I am looking at implementing an RWH setup in the top floor of an apartment complex in Trivandrum.
Appreciate if anyone can suggest/confirm -
1) The feasibility of RWH for an individual apartment having an open terrace area. I may not be able to utilize the common facilities/area of the apartment complex for the purpose, or get an agreement from the residents' association to spend the amount.
2) Typical costs - one-time and running costs for such a setup. Effort needed to maintain the setup as well.
3) Possibility of combining this with waste water reuse from inside the apartment. If not possible, that can remain separate.
4) Contact details of experienced consultants in Trivandrum who can do an economical but aesthetically designed setup.
I hope to use my experience with RWH/Wastewater Re-use to convince the residents' association to go for a common setup in future.
Thanks in advance for all help and guidance in this regard.
Rajesh
Comments
1.
Dear Rajesh,
1. The downtake pipes supposed to bring down the rain that falls on the roofs will have to be interconnected and led to a sump (after a first flush arrangement) for immediate use.
2. The overflow from the sump will have to be discharged into an open well, if one is available within the premises for sustaining and improving the quality and exploitable quantity of groundwater.
3. In the absence of an open well, the overflow from the sump can be injected into a properly designed recharge (RC) well. The information about the nature of the soil up to a depth of 10 metres should be available for determining the depth of the RC well. The diameter of the well can be 3 to 6 feet depending on the quantity of water that is likely to be injected into the RC well. For more details and drawings please download a booklet from our website http://www.raincentre.org
4. The one time costs depend on the availability of an open well as well as on the nature of the soil. It will be in the range Rs. 30000 to Rs. 40000. The recurring cost will be around Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 per year.
5. It is better to keep the waste water reuse system separately.
6. I do not know of any contractor in Trivandrum who will be able to execute the job for you. In Chennai we have several of them. You are most welcome to visit the Rain centre in Chennai, in case you happen to visit this city.
Sekhar Raghavan, Rain Centre, Chennai
2.
Dear Sekhar,
Thanks for your response and diection to other potential contacts. I will go through your website in detail and contact Mr. Indukanth.
With regard to the solution you suggest, please note that I will not be able to use any common area of the apartment complex - as mentioned in my post to the website. So digging wells does not seem an option (at least for now).
My work area will be limited to the terrace in front of my apartment. The water can be collected from the roof above by apartment. I had come across an article where such a setup seemed possible using Sintex type water storage tanks, but the setup process was very sketchy. This was also by some group in Chennai.
BTW, why do you recommend that I maintain the water reuse system separately? Any advice on how best to implement that as well?
Thank you.
Rajesh
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