Chennai has scraped its way through another year of water shortage. The southwest monsoon may have eased the crisis and improved the reservoir levels and groundwater table, but the city’s water needs are only increasing.
With the northeast monsoon just around the corner, Chennai MetroWater Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) has come up with a social media challenge called ‘#RehydrateChennai, to raise awareness on harnessing rainwater and recharging groundwater. It is similar to the ‘rainwater harvesting challenge’ last year, also initiated by Metrowater.
#RehydrateChennai is a citizen encouragement programme, says Thirunavukarasu B., head of production and social media wing of CMWSSB. “Groundwater table in Chennai is fast depleting. The city is dependent on piped supply from Metrowater or groundwater. To have sustained water conservation, residents too need to step up efforts. Through #RehydrateChennai, CMWSSB is trying to leverage social media to raise awareness on water conservation, and motivate people to set up rainwater harvesting structures at their homes and also maintain the existing ones,” he adds.
Residents can take part in the challenge by posting pictures and videos of rainwater harvesting structures at their houses on Chennai Metro Water’s Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtags #RehydrateChennai, #CMWSSB #ChennaiMetroWater. Residents can also share innovative ideas and methods to conserve water.
According to the official, Metrowater engineers will start visiting residences to inspect RWH systems and their maintenance. “Many households have RWH structures installed because it is mandatory but in most cases, maintenance is a problem. Residents of houses with the best rainwater harvesting systems will be given a badge and recognised as ‘water warriors’. Exemplary methods and efforts will be promoted by CMWSBB,” adds Thirunavukarasu.
#RehydrateChennai challenge is not limited to residents. Companies and corporate firms too can join in, and share pictures and videos on their RWH efforts and water conservation initiatives.
CMWSSB is also using its social media pages to disseminate information about water conservation. “People can learn about the #RehydrateChennai campaign, the waterbodies in Chennai, reservoir and groundwater level, rainfall pattern and geography,” he says.
