Global Engineering Challenge

Cost Effective Rain Water Collection and Storage Solutions

By Josie, Alex, Jagnesh, Justin, Steve and Matt

Devikulam – Tamil Nadu, India

http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/initiatives/2011ewbchallenge

http://www.buzza.in/Gramap2/Devikulam_information.html

photos from http://www.buzza.in/Gramap2/Devikulam_photos.html

info from http://vista.shef.ac.uk/webct/urw/lc19897.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

 http://vista.shef.ac.uk/webct/urw/lc19897.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct (survey)http://vista.shef.ac.uk/webct/ContentPageServerServlet/briefs/resources/Devikulam_Taps.pdf

http://vista.shef.ac.uk/webct/ContentPageServerServlet/briefs/resources/Devikulam_Map.pdf

INITIAL IDEAS

http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/urban/urbanenv-2/9.asp http://www.sintex.in/solutions.html

Options: Tank ConstructionBamboo Tank -sustainable: recycle bamboo baskets skill for the villagers -varying capacities -bamboo plantation far from village -relatively expensive -bamboo is slow to mature

Jars -sustainable: skill for villagers local / readily available materials -form of income -reusable moulds -varying capacity/heights -heavy / hard to move -danger of stale water

Jar being made

Info. and Pictures from: http://www.wateraid.org/

Options: Guttering MaterialsGalvanised Steel -long life -corrosion can be overcome -recyclable / reusable -more distributors / manufacturers -heavier -relatively expensive -water that runs down steel guttering is cleaner PVC -cheap -lightweight -less weather resistance -very difficult to recycle, it is a thermoset polymer -harder to attach -much shorter life spanWood -has a short lifespan -not a very clean form of guttering

Gutter Setup

Options: Filter MaterialsPebbles -cleaner water -not sufficient on its ownGravel -prevents clogging of pipes with larger obstructions -not sufficient on its ownSand -pre filter for particulates -not sufficient on its ownCharcoal -absorbs agro-chemical contaminants -need a large amount per person / litre (4.5kg per

person per year) - readily available in villages

These will be combined to make the filter as it will be very cheap

Example of a Filter System

Our Final Solution Galvanised steel guttering

‘Jar’ storage tanks

Sand, Charcoal, Gravel filter

Hand pump

http://www.nabuur.com/en/village/nakyerongosa/project/task/domestic-rainwater-harvesting-through-construction-water-jars

Our Final Solution

Costing and Future PlanningThe initial cost of the materials needed to build the rain-harvesting mechanism for each house.

Materials 

Cost

Charcoal -Gravel -Sand -Hand pump (Suction Pump) £37Jars £35Galvanised steel ≈£40

Convenience Safe water with adequate sanitation. The possibility of maintenance by village

workers Have scheduled maintenance instead of

breakdown maintenance. Ensure this development boosts their

livelihood by creating commerce, industry and developments for everyone in Devikulam.

ReferenceCommunity Water Supply; The handpump Option, Rural Water Supply Project.  UNDP/World Bank ISBN 08213-0850 1986.http://www.wateraid.org/uk/what_we_do/sustainable_technologies/technology_notes/244.asphttp://villageearth.org/appropriate-technology/appropriate-technology-sourcebook/water-supply-and-sanitation

Aims and Benefits