Madurai engg transforms house into rainwater harvesting model

Arunachalam, a retired engineer in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, has developed and installed a rainwater harvesting system on the terrace of his 700-square-foot house, which now serves as a rainwater harvesting model.

Madurai (Tamil Nadu):At a time when Tamil Nadu is grappling with an exhausting drought, every drop of water counts. Hundreds of residents of this drought-stricken state are taking up the cause of rainwater harvesting and Arunachalam is one such water conservator in Madurai who has developed and installed a rain-water harvesting system on the terrace of his 700-square-foot house.

The ingenious drainage system provides drinking and cooking water, along with water for other household chores. The retired engineer has designed the whole system in such a way that all of the rainwater is collected in the tank on the terrace of his house, which then gets collected in a large tank underneath the house to which all the taps around the house are connected.

"The natural micronutrients available in rainwater act like sources of energy for a human body. Therefore, organs like kidney and heart are strengthened by their consumption. Food cooked with this water is very clean and healthy. We need to bring it into regular use to attain a healthy body. And it is also our duty to return the remaining water to the mother earth," he said.

The house, in itself, now serves as a rain-water harvesting model in the city.