Unlike the conventional rain water harvesting method for the purpose of recharging ground water, Gramalaya chooses to focus on turning rain water into potable water.


Gramalaya recently started RWH (Rain Water Harvesting) projects for drinking purposes. Unlike the conventional rain water harvesting method for the purpose of recharging ground water, Gramalaya chooses to focus on turning rain water into potable water, as their one-year experience in the coastal areas of Nagapattinam and the rural and urban areas of Tiruchirappalli district proved to them.

After a series of field tests and technical support from experts in this field, Gramalaya successfully implemented this project in the tsunami-affected areas of Nagapattinam District, Thottiyam, Thathaiengarpet and the Thuraiyur Block of rural areas, as well as in the Tiruchirappalli City Corporation.

The rainwater is harvested from the roofs of concrete houses, tiled houses and thatched houses, and brought down through PVC pipes to ground-level tanks after filtration. The whole system is technically planned, and included the first flush system, filtration point, provision for overflow from the water tank, etc.

Many interesting case studies have arisen from users, who include women and children, and panchayat presidents. There are villages like Sukkampatti, BharathiNagar, Managalam and Kannanur Palayam, where drinking water is mainly used by the residents using the rain water.

If rain water is preserved in tight containers without direct sunlight, it can be used for drinking purposes for more than a year. As a result of the considerable impact created among the users, Gramalaya is also receiving more demands from the general public.

Gramalaya is now entering a tie-up with Guardian, an MFI, for extending loan facilities for setting up of these rain water harvesting tanks through its WaterCredit.

So far, Gramalaya has installed more than 300 RWH structures in its operational area, with the funding assistance from WaterAid, Arghyam and WaterPartners International support.