The Water Resources Department has kicked-off a pilot model using Japanese technology to save rainwater at its Taramani campus.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the ₹1-crore project involves the construction of a massive underground tank with a capacity to store nearly six lakh litres of rainwater at the State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre, Taramani. The project was formally handed over at an event in the city on Tuesday.
Seiichiro Takai, managing director, Totetsu Manufacturing Company, Japan, and A. Dhanapal, joint chief engineer, WRD, exchanged documents that marked the official handing over of the project.
Hiroyuki Okui, managing director of the Association of Rainwater Storage and Infiltration Technology, elaborated on the technology that differed from conventional concrete structures.
Maximising storage
Aqua Palace, a technology that uses plastic components, was adopted for the project to maximise storage.
S. Raja, executive engineer, WRD, said the underground storage tank was more of a composite structure, with inner walls built using imported PVC plates and pipes.
A disinfecting system has also been installed and there are plans to distribute the water to residents through a water ATM. WRD’s Taramani campus was able to store enough water for six months.
Yuka Matsushiba, programme specialist, JICA Indian Office, Shiho Banba, Consul-General of Japan, and Pandiyan, Joint Chief Engineer, WRD, participated in the event that included a technical seminar.
