Rain spells success for them

They must love telling this story. Their first client, Louis Divien, had been challenged that his 15,000 litre tank would never, ever, be filled by merely harvesting rainwater. On September 4, after a heavy shower, the tank was overflowing. Divien had won his bet. Lakshmi Narayanan, Shweta and Uma Maheshwari - final year Civil Engineering students of Anna University - had tasted their first success less than a month after they got into the business of rainwater harvesting (RWH).

They remember the dates well. ``We started work here on August 8,'' says Lakshmi. Mr.R.Jeyakumar, a builder and RWH consultant, had contacted Lakshmi, a former internee in his construction firm, asking if he was interested in a project. In three months - and ``in-between exams'' - the classmates have completed 15 works.

Their methods are simple. ``First we look for existing facilities like pipes, wells, sumps and tanks. Then we draw up a plan with Jeyakumar based on these,'' says Lakshmi. ``It takes just one or two days for a job,'' says Shweta.

The Divien residence in Thomas Nagar, Saidapet, had a septic tank not used for about 15 years, that was waiting to be converted to a storage tank. Three pipes from the terrace are connected to a filter tank filled with pebbles, sand, charcoal and layered with netlon mats and a bucket.

As the strata here is crystalline rock and unsuitable for recharging, the collected water is stored for direct use.

We follow four or five models,'' says Lakshmi. In a neighbouring four-flat apartment, the water is directed to a well post filtration. The projects cost about Rs. 5000 each, very competitive by professional standards and achievable because the team uses existing structures. Also, Mr.Jeyakumar gives them his labourers, which helps cut costs further.

They source clients from Metrowater and the TWAD board RWH cell, but only select those near their college.

The three were so busy it was more than evident. ``Suddenly, we were famous in college,'' says Lakshmi. ``We were moving in and out, getting calls on the mobile (which they bought from the money pouring in), and others wanted to join in,'' says Shweta.

Now, 10 other Anna University students have joined the business and are guided by the three-month old experts. They work under us,'' says Lakshmi grinning. Bossman.

By Feroze Ahmed
The Hindu, dated 4th Nov'01.