COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Corporation’s innovative model for rainwater harvesting and reuse for non-potable applications is proving successful.
While various government buildings, including the collectorate, have employed the rainwater harvesting system mainly for groundwater recharge, the Coimbatore Corporation pioneered a reuse model at its Town Hall office in July.
After limited rainfall in August, the rains in September nearly filled the tank specifically built for rainwater storage and reuse. Notably, Coimbatore is the only city in the state implementing this model.
Inspired by the success of this initiative, the corporation is set to introduce the system in its five zonal offices, promoting sustainable water management.
Corporation commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran explained the system’s specifications, stating, “Our main office system is engineered to collect approximately 1.08 lakh litres of water using a European filtration system. Rainwater from a 25,000 sq ft area is collected from 40 points. The stored water is manageable for about 10 weeks.”
This initiative aims to lessen reliance on borewell water, especially during monsoon season, when groundwater saturation can lead to flooding or excess water diverted to stormwater drains linked to the Noyyal river.
To further improve the system’s efficiency, the corporation plans to build an additional ground-level tank with a capacity of 1 lakh litres next to the existing one.
Utilizing 3P Technik Filtersysteme GmbH, a reputable European product, the new system is designed for high efficiency.
Junior engineer V. Pragadeeswaran noted, “This system includes a stainless steel dirt-collecting basket that is removable and cleanable, ensuring that we can meet daily needs of over 8,000 litres. To maintain optimal moisture levels, we avoid completely drying out the tank, and any excess water is directed to the groundwater recharge system beside the current borewell.”
