How to catch the rain?

Navita Singh, March 3, 2017

Rainwater harvesting is the conscious collection and storage of rainwater to cater to the needs of water for drinking purposes, domestic use and irrigation. Navita Singh explains how to set up such a sustainable system in your home

Rainwater harvesting is a very important step in the direction of achieving sustainability. It gains significance in a nation like ours where fresh water is a scarce commodity. Rainwater harvesting is the conscious collection and storage of rainwater to cater to the needs of water for drinking purposes, domestic use and irrigation.

Traditional and time-tested systems were employed in the past in various parts of our country. For instance, baoris in Rajasthan, jhalaras in Gujarat, keres in Karnataka and eris in Tamil Nadu. So, the system of harnessing rainwater for future needs is not new to the Indian culture.

It would be advisable to think about rainwater harvesting when you are planning to build your new home. Carefully planned rainwater harvesting scheme will ensure long-term benefits. It is possible to retrofit an existing building but not
without some modifications and additions to the original scheme.

Methods & components
There are mainly two ways of harvesting rainwater — surface runoff and rooftop rainwater harvesting. In urban areas, the natural recharging of the groundwater by rainwater percolation through the soil is reduced drastically as large areas in the cities are paved. The surface runoff rainwater can be harvested to recharge the aquifers. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is the method that is usually employed in homes. The rainwater that falls on the roof is collected and stored in a tank. The main components of the rooftop rainwater
harvesting system are the catchment, transportation, first flush and filter.

Catchment: The catchment area is usually the roof or terrace. The transportation of rainwater should be through the rainwater pipes to the storage tank. Water from sloping roofs should be collected by gutters and directed towards the downpipes.

The roof terrace should be clean and not store chemicals, fertilisers, detergents etc. Gratings or mesh must be provided at the mouth of the drain to trap leaves, debris and other floating materials. The size and the number of downpipes required will depend on the size of the roof. Proper slope should be given to the roof to ensure that the rainwater drains well. The rainwater pipes can be of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or galvanised iron (GI).

l First flush: First flush is a device used to remove the first rain shower. This ensures that the first spell of rain which carries a lot of pollutants from the roof surface and air does not enter the storage tank. Each rainwater pipe should be installed with the first flush valve device.

l Filters: Filters are used to remove the suspended impurities in the collected water before it enters the storage tank or recharge structure. This unit consists of a chamber with filtering material like sand, gravel, fibre etc. Charcoal can be employed for additional filtration. There are many different types of filters that are used, but the most commonly employed are the sand filter, charcoal filter, PVC pipe filter and sponge filter.

The sand filter contains layers of pebbles, gravel and sand. Each layer is separated by a wire mesh. The charcoal filter is like a sand filter with an extra layer of charcoal. The pipe filter consists of a PVC pipe 1-1.2 metres in length and six inches to eight inches in diameter, depending on the area of the roof. It has compartments that are filled with sand and gravel. The sponge filter is made from a PVC drum having a layer of sponge in the middle. For homes, this is economical to install and easy to maintain.

Many other readymade rainwater filters are also available in the market. A selection can be made on the basis of your requirement, maintenance and cost.

l Storage: The storage tanks can be of different shapes, sizes and materials. The shape can be circular, square or rectangular. They can be constructed from reinforced cement concrete, masonry, plastic or metal. Depending on the availability of space, they could be placed above the ground, partially underground or fully underground. The capacity of the tank has to be carefully designed on the basis of the rainfall received, catchment area and water consumption. Each tank should have excess water overflow system diverting the extra water to a groundwater recharge system. The storage tank may or may not need an electric motor to pump water for usage. This will depend on the location of the tank. Underground tanks usually require a pump for this purpose.

The stored water can be used for washing, cleaning, bathing and gardening. Rainwater is soft, so it is gentle on the skin and hair. It is good for clothes, vessels and appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and geysers. Additional purification through filtration or boiling is required to make it suitable for drinking.

Maintenance

The whole rain water harvesting system should be checked before and after each rain. It should be cleaned at the end of the dry season and before the first rain is expected. The storage tanks should also be scrubbed and disinfected. The filter media should also be cleaned before every monsoon season.

Recharging groundwater

Groundwater should be recharged by using only using rainwater. The easiest thing you could do is to leave maximum plot area for natural percolation of rainwater through the soil. Various types of structures can be created for recharging groundwater, such as percolation pits, recharge pits, recharge trenches and recharging of existing wells and borewells.

We should install rainwater harvesting system in our homes as it has many benefits. It aids in water conservation and leads to a reduction in the expenditure on water bills. It is useful in decreasing surface runoff and soil erosion. It not only prevents the depletion of groundwater but also helps to recharge the aquifers. It resolves the problem of flooding during heavy rains. By adopting rainwater harvesting we will also be ensuring that there are adequate fresh water reserves for our posterity.

Self-reliant model
A R Shivakumar, known as the ‘Rain Man of Bengaluru’, built his home “Sourabha” in 1994, and has not had to pay a water bill in the last 22 years. This rainwater harvesting expert at the Indian Institute of Science says, “We should learn to keep the rain in our homes”.

His 40 X 60 feet plot gets at least two lakh litres of rain every year, which caters to all the water needs of his home.

It rains about 60-70 days in a year and the longest gap between two rains is 90-100 days. A family of four needs between 400 and 500 litres of water everyday.

So, four storage tanks of a total capacity of 45,000 litres were required to be self-sufficient. Each tank has a pop-up filter that has been designed and patented by him.

The waste water from the washing machine and kitchen is also recycled. The water for drinking is filtered by a system that uses silver plate arrangement. Clean and safe potable water is available throughout the year.

(The author is an architect & interior designer)

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Playing host to couchsurfers

Nisha Ravindranathan, March 3, 2017

Do you play host on Airbnb and couchsurfing often? Would you like your guests to have a good time when visiting? Nisha Ravindranathan discusses how your home can be made perfect for such guests

You know what else got hip, somewhere after yoga pants, cupcakes, food trucks and ironic glasses? That’s right, hosting on Airbnb. And it’s not just about making a few extra bucks either. Sure, it seems like a simple enough way to add to your earnings especially if you have room to spare (no pun intended), but in fact, it has much more to do with making your life that much more exciting and just a wee bit unpredictable. A rather staid, middle class routine suddenly infused with memorable and meaningful encounters with strangers who you might never otherwise meet, let alone befriend.

But if you are going to play hostess, get it absolutely right from the get-go. It doesn’t take a lot, just some thought, to make and keep your guests comfortable. Here’s a checklist:

Be available

People who choose Airbnb over hotels are the kind of people who usually want in on local experiences. Remember, they’re new to your city, and while the Internet does tell you a lot of things, they’re probably hoping that you will too. And by things I mean where to eat, what to do and where to go. In general, try and find that sweet spot where you’re there for your guests and helpful whenever they need it, but they also have enough privacy and space of their own – exchanging phone numbers is a good way to achieve this, so you’re always only ever a phone call or text message away.

It’s the little things that matter

And here, I don’t mean mints on a pillow. Keep a checklist handy – local maps, numbers that door-deliver late night takeout, transport cards that can be topped up and/or reliable taxi services, airport-shuttle information, numbers for emergency medical services – all very, very useful information for travellers.

Make it convenient as can be
If you can offer your guests their own key, a separate entrance, or both, make sure you do it. Not only does this make life a whole lot simpler for you, but allows them to come and go as they please, and everyone knows this goes a long way in making travel memorable.

Reliability is everything

While there’s no denying the convenience of Couchsurfing, the economy of Airbnb and the expedience of having it all at the touch of your fingertips, there’s also the occasional nightmare story that everyone has heard – rooms being nothing like they were described, stories of assault and extortion, hosts being rude, offensive or plain criminal. So yes, a reputation, and a good word about your space goes a very, very long way.

Make it a point to appreciate every bit of feedback that comes your way; encourage your guests to leave an assessment of their experience, respond as quickly and positively as you can to every review (including the ones that tell you how you can do better), and always be candid and upfront about the facilities you offer – don’t promise what you can’t make good on, and be a stickler when it comes to being as good as your word. These are qualities that go a long way and they will tide you over the roughest of times.

Speaking of the Internet

Make sure you offer solid, stable, preferably high speed Wi-Fi. The world does not function without smartphones, and in all likelihood, neither do your guests. Travellers, especially the international kind, rely even more on fast Internet where they’re staying, since they most likely may not have (or bother with acquiring), phone services while on the road. Keep them connected.

Be clear
If there are rules in the building that your guests should know of, make sure they know right from the get go. This involves delineating spaces as smoking and non-smoking, curfews if any, knowledge about smoke alarms and burglar alarms, knowledge about various locks, how to dispose trash and rules that involve recycling, as well as any other concerns that may have been raised in the past by other residents or your landlord. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of, and don’t find yourself being held responsible for someone else’s actions.

A picture speaks a thousand words

Don’t misrepresent your space, but don’t do it injustice either. Call a room a room, a house a house, a loft a loft and a villa a villa. Back your words up with good quality photographs. This doesn’t mean you have to plan a photoshoot; it simply means that the images shouldn’t be blurry or shot in bad light. And make sure whatever the photograph claims to offer, is part of the package.

Keep it simple

As a rule, offer everything to your guests, that you yourself would be grateful for when travelling. Obviously, clean towels top this list. Toothpaste, disposable
shaving kits and toiletries like shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are a close second.

Bags of green tea and instant coffee, an electric kettle (even if you don’t offer a full-fledged kitchen) and maybe a microwave (nobody likes cold takeout) are other big pluses. A safe, if you can offer it, comes in hugely handy – most travellers will prefer stowing their few valuables, cash and passport carefully at home, than have the additional stress of always carrying them on their person.

Anything else that you can offer is more or less a bonus and is likely to earn you special merit for thoughtfulness – here I’m referring to hair-dryers, an iron and ironing board, detergent so your guests can load and use the machine instead of having to do the dishes by hand, extra glassware in the kitchen should they decide to have a few friends over for drinks instead of going out, and so on and forth.

Keep it clean

Everyone can tell newly laundered sheets apart, from ones that desperately need to see the inside of a washing machine. There’s no bigger turn off than dirty linens. While Airbnb might use the word hosting, don’t forget that people are still paying to temporarily use your space.

Respect that, and know, that you are therefore indebted to ensure it’s clean and habitable. That means fresh sheets, clean bathrooms, and quarters that are free from dust bunnies and clutter in general.

Give, and ye shall receive

It’s alright if you’re new to hosting. Everyone has a beginning, and this is yours. If your page is looking a little bare, remember that life is about give and take. Give your guests an honest review, and you will find more often than not, they reciprocate in kind. Meanwhile, here’s hoping they respond kindly as well.

(The author is founding editor, www.forbetterorverse.com)

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Soldier in viral video found dead; Army questions website role

Mumbai/New Delhi, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)

A 33-year-old jawan, who purportedly figured in an expose by a news portal on the orderly system in the army, was found dead in Maharashtra's Deolali and army today appeared to blame the website for driving him to commit "suicide". Roy Mathew, a resident of Ezhukon in Kollam district of Kerala, was missing since February 25 and his decomposed body was found hanging from the ceiling in an abandoned barrack in Deolali cantonment in Nashik yesterday.

The army said it never questioned Mathew after the video, which showed soldiers, working as Sahayaks, walking dogs of senior army officials or taking their children to school, surfaced. It said preliminary investigation has revealed that "the suicide may be result of a series of events which were triggered by media personnel managing to video-graph the deceased by asking leading questions on his duties as a buddy without his knowledge.

"It is very likely that the guilt factor of letting down his superiors or conveying false impression to an unknown individual, led to take the extreme step." Police have registered a case of accidental death under Section 174 of the CrPC. According to his family in Kerala, Mathew made his last phone call to them on February 25 and from the way he talked it was evident that he was in a frightened state.

Sources said the last text message of Mathew, who was attached for 'buddy duties' with a Colonel-rank officer, was to the officer in which he said "sorry". In a release, the army said the identity of the soldier in the video was hidden and thereby not known to it. "Hence there is no question of any enquiry that could have been ordered."

There is a view in the army that it should explore legal options against the news portal. The army has also ordered a probe into circumstances leading to Mathew's death. "Complaint has been lodged with the local police and an enquiry has been ordered by the army authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to his death. Army is offering all assistance in this regard to the family of the deceased and the civil administration."

Mathew had gone missing on February 25 and was declared absent without leave, the army said. The sting operation had led to criticism of the British- era Sahayak (buddy) system. The army has ordered an inquiry into how the sting took place. Police said Mathew, whose body was decomposed, might have died three days ago.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said a thorough inquiry into the "mysterious death of the army jawan" would be conducted. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrikant Dhivre, a diary was recovered from near the jawan's body.

Meanwhile, Mathew's body was handed over to his relatives after a postmortem was conducted at the Nashik civil hospital, police said. A family member claimed Mathew had told them that he had recently spoken to a mediaperson about the woes of soldiers in the army and of menial tasks which they were asked to perform.

He also claimed he said these things after ensuring that he was not being recorded. But later, to his shock, the video went viral as his interview was secretly recorded. Roy had told his kin that he feared that he would lose his job and would have to face consequences for the act.

Deolali Camp police has registered the case of accidental death following a complaint lodged by Subhedar Gopalsinh. However, the reason behind his death is yet to be ascertained, police said. 

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Sex-ratio in urban areas worse than rural areas: survey

New Delhi, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)

Urban India fares worse than the rural parts of the country in terms of sex-ratio, both overall and at birth, as per a latest national health survey.
The overall sex-ratio for the country is 991, while in rural India it was 1009 and in urban areas 956, according to the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) for 2015-16.

The sex-ratio at birth in the past five years has improved marginally from 914 to 919 girls per 1000 boys but in urban India it was as low as 899.

In Haryana, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, the overall child sex-ratio at birth in the past five years was 836, up from 762 in 2005-2006. But in urban Haryana it is as low as 785.

The survey found that there are 876 women per 1000 men in Haryana, but in the state's urban areas the ratio of women is to men is 846:1000.

In contrast to Haryana, the gender in Madhya Pradesh has widened. The sex-ratio at birth for the children born in the last five years has dropped to 927 from 960 while in urban areas it was 899.

Total sex-ratio in Madhya Pradesh is at 973, while in the urban part of the state it has been recorded at 933, it said.

The sex-ratio at birth for children born in the last five years has improved from 847 in 2005-2006 to 887 in 2015-2016 in Rajasthan.

The urban Rajasthan, however, has fallen behind the state average as it stood ten years ago and recorded a sex-ratio at birth at 845.

Here, the sex-ratio is at 973 as per the latest data and in urban Rajasthan is 928.
In Bihar, though, the figure for sex-ratio at birth in urban parts is higher than the state's average. In urban areas of the state it is 942, while the state's average was 934.

The gender gap in urban areas and in the rest of the state was quite stark in Assam where the sex-ratio at birth for children born in the last five years for the entire state was 929, whereas for urban Assam it is 794.

Explaining this trend across the country, Executive Director at Centre for Catalysing Change, Aparajita Gogoi said, "Sex selection has been more prevalent in urban areas primarily because people have access to technology like sonogram and sex determination tests." 

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Delhi: 3-year-old twin brothers drown in washing machine

New Delhi, Feb 25, 2017, PTI:

In a tragic incident, 3-year-old twin brothers today drowned in a washing machine while their mother was out to buy detergent at Rohini in north west Delhi, police said.

The twins, Naksh and Neeshu, were inside the top loading washing machine for up to 30 minutes before being discovered by their father, they said.

There was about 15 litres of water in the spinning tub of the washing machine and there is a possibility that the children fell into the spinner by climbing the pile of laundry, police said.

Rekha, mother of the victims, said she had filled water in the washing machine and went to a nearby shop to buy detergent at 12.39 PM. When she came back, she did not find the children in the house. She raised an alarm and informed her husband, they said.

Ravinder, who works with an insurance company, rushed to the house and found the children lying in the washing machine, police said. The children were rushed to the hospital where they were declared brought dead, they said.

"The family is inconsolable. The bodies have been sent to Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital in Rohini for postmortem. Inquest proceedings under Section 174 (police to inquire and report on suicide etc) of CrPC are underway," said a senior police officer.

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