[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]
To,
The District Collector,
Thiruvannamalai District,
[Collector’s Office Address]
Tamil Nadu, India.
Subject: Request for Urgent Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting in
Thiruvannamalai with Reference to Successful Models in Tamil Nadu
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am writing to bring to your attention the critical need for widespread implementation of
rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in Thiruvannamalai district. With growing water
scarcity due to irregular rainfall and unsustainable groundwater extraction, immediate action
is necessary to conserve our water resources and ensure sustainable water management.
How Rainwater Harvesting Works:
RWH involves the collection and storage of rainwater from rooftops, land surfaces, and
stormwater to reduce dependency on groundwater. This method has been successfully
implemented in various parts of Tamil Nadu, and it includes:
Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting (RRWH): Capturing rainwater from roofs,
filtering it, and storing it in tanks for domestic use.
Campus RWH: Collecting rainwater from large open spaces, such as campuses, and
directing it into recharge structures.
Stormwater Harvesting: Managing runoff from streets and storm drains by directing
it into recharge wells to reduce urban flooding and increase groundwater storage.
Defunct Borewell Recharge: Using non-functional borewells to recharge
groundwater.
Defunct Quarry/Mines Water Usage: Repurposing old quarries and mines as water
storage areas.
Grey Water Recycling: Reusing household wastewater for non-potable uses such as
gardening or flushing toilets.
Restoration of Water Bodies: Reviving lakes, ponds, and tanks to improve
groundwater recharge and water availability.
Success Story: Pattikadu Oorani Improvement Project
A shining example of successful community-led water management is the Pattikadu Oorani
Improvement Project in Kancheepuram district. This initiative demonstrates how effective
rainwater harvesting and water body restoration can benefit a village:
The village community in Pattikadu collaborated with the Centre for Environmental
Studies, Anna University and the Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Tamil
Nadu to develop their village pond (Oorani) to serve a population of 370 people.
The project involved the installation of a clay liner to prevent seepage into the
subsurface, and the construction of silt traps, settling basins, and filters to ensure
high water quality.
The Oorani can now store up to 8,135 cubic meters of water, providing reliable
potable water for the residents of Pattikadu and neighboring hamlets, such as
Pattikadu-H, Pattikadu Arunthathiyar Colony, and Karuppankadu.
Additional features like a weather station for monitoring climate conditions and
hand pumps with flow meters were installed, enhancing the utility of the water body.
This holistic water management project cost Rs. 7.55 lakhs and serves as a successful
model of community participation and technical collaboration in rural water
conservation.
Proposed Actions for Thiruvannamalai:
1. Mandatory Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) for all new and existing
buildings.
2. Campus RWH in schools, offices, and institutions to capture rainwater from open
areas.
3. Stormwater Harvesting to manage urban flooding and improve water storage.
4. Defunct Borewell Recharge to repurpose old borewells for groundwater recharge.
5. Restoration of Water Bodies to improve the water table and provide potable water.
6. Grey Water Recycling to reduce water wastage by reusing household wastewater.
By implementing these initiatives and drawing inspiration from successful projects like the
Pattikadu Oorani Improvement, Thiruvannamalai can improve its water security, reduce
dependency on groundwater, and ensure long-term sustainability. I kindly urge you to take
swift action to make RWH a district-wide priority.
தமிழில்
மழைநீர் சேகரிப்பு என்பது நீர்நிலைகளை பாதுகாப்பதற்கான மிகச்சிறந்த
தீர்வாகும். திருவண்ணாமலையில் இந்த முறைமைகளை விரைவாக அமல்படுத்த
வேண்டும். பாட்டிக்காடு ஊரணிக்கான மேம்பாட்டு திட்டம் போன்ற
வெற்றிகரமான முயற்சிகளை முன்மாதிரியாகக் கொண்டு செயல்படுத்தலாம்.
உங்கள் துரிதமான நடவடிக்கையை வேண்டுகிறேன்.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
