Water Supply and Treatment

Rural communities in Kancheepuram District experience a range of water quality issues. In coastal areas, groundwater quality is affected by sea water intrusion resulting from over extraction. In many areas, the groundwater quality is also affected by high levels of naturally occurring iron, contamination by industrial pollutants and a lack of appropriate wastewater and sewage management. River water sources are polluted by local leather and dyeing industries and municipal sewage.

At Uluru Children’s Home, all water for drinking, cooking, washing and gardening is supplied by a single well. The well is 15ft deep and it is located 100m from the orphanage grounds. The well location was chosen after a fairly extensive survey of the area. It provides clean, reasonably unsalty water for the children and staff. The water is treated by boiling for four minutes, although this is more of a precaution than a necessity.

Previously, water was supplied by a well within grounds of Uluru Children’s Home. However, this supply became too salty following salination of the underground water by the Tsunami of December 2004.
Current water consumption at Uluru Children’s Home is approximately 1000L per day. An electric pump feeds a 500L tank (twice daily). Note that water consumption is expected to rise considerably in the foreseeable future due to an increase in population at Uluru Children’s Home.

Visitors and volunteers drink bottled water, at 30Rs per 20L bottle. Consumption is approx 20 bottles per month when the volunteer quarters are full. This occurs infrequently.

TEWOAF are currently working with the Rotary Monash in Victoria to develop a rainwater harvesting system. This system will be designed to collect and filter runoff from roofs and provide storage in big tanks (~50kL). This water will be used for cooking and drinking. The well will then be used for washing and gardening. Once implemented, the rainwater harvesting system should be able to independently provide clean fresh drinking water for more than 80 residents.


Existing Water tank


Design Project: Design a system to provide Uluru Children’s Home with a clean and reliable supply of water. The system should consider water quantity, water quality and the long-term sustainability of the supply. Suggestions include rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge and landscape use for the development of a sustainable microclimate.