Collector Rohini R Bhajibhakare has said that a modern rainwater harvesting (RWH) structure that could store 45,000 litres of water even during normal rainfall could be established at a cost of ₹4,000.
Addressing mediapersons after inspecting a rainwater harvesting structure established under the “Mission Rain Gain” of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, at the Salem Panchayat Union office here on Wednesday, she said that 1,043 simple rainwater harvesting structures were established in the district, so far.
She said that harvesting rainwater is important and can be implemented in houses that were constructed even in 500 sq.ft. “Water stored in the structure can fulfil the needs of the family members for three months,” she said and called upon the people in the district to establish the structure in their houses. Ms. Rohini said that owners of apartments should also come forward to establish it so that groundwater gets recharged in their area.
During the recent rains on June 15, the structure received about 6,000 litres of water and added that the new structure helps to filter the rainwater that enters into sump for domestic use while the surplus water is directly let into borewell.
Under the Kudimaramathu scheme, a total of 79 works were taken up between 2016 and 2018 at a cost of ₹12.99 crore of which 76 works were completed and three were in progress. In the current year, a total of 20 works were taken up at a cost of ₹5.62 lakh, she added.
N. Aruljothi, Project Director,District Rural Development Agency, S. Sadayappan, Executive Engineer, DRDA, assistant directors and officials were present during the inspecton.
