RAINWATER

HARVESTING
TRENCH
 The Purpose
This project is based on the assumption that all roads in the city
are owned by the Government. When it rains and the drainage is
inadequate and the roads are not cambered well, water tends to
stagnate causing damage to the road surface, inconvenience to the
public and an environment favorable to the breeding of
mosquitoes and the consequent vector borne diseases. On roads
which are provided with storm water drains, the rain water is
allowed to run off and eventually flow into the streams, rivers or
the sea. Thus losing an invaluable resource namely fresh water.
The construction of rain water harvesting trenches running across
the width of the road, have multi faceted benefits.

• Recharging of the ground water table

• Maintaining a clean, dry road surface

• Eradicating inconvenience caused by flooding

• Prevention of post rainfall mosquito infestation

 The Concept
Blueprint for Rainwater Harvesting on City roads
 The Concept

Construction of the Trench/ Pit

 The Site

The Rain Water Harvesting Trench should be ideally situated in low

lying areas, underpasses and at the bottom of flyovers
 Caution
The trench must be dug at a site
where it does not breach water
or sewage lines, power and
telephone cables and any other
underground utilities.

Auguring is necessary to verify

depth of subsoil.
 Step 1

A subterranean
water pipe
undamaged during
excavation

Having taken the cautions mentioned into account, the trench is

to be excavated using a 400 mm bucket excavator.

This excavation should reach the depth as verified through

auguring.
 Step 2

The trench is filled with layers of

sand and brickbats to filter the water
flowing into the ground water table
 Step 3

Lips are cut on either side of the trench and laid with PCC
to support the precast beams
 Step 4

The precast beams are then lowered

on to the PCC base
 Step 5

The precast grill (load bearing of 10 tonne axle weight) is then lowered
onto the support beams
 Step 6

The road surface between the road and grill should be smoothened out
to create a uniformly smooth surface
 Notes
•The precast grill should have a mild curve so as to prevent debris
flowing into the trench.

•It has been found that using 5 ft lengths in the prototype require the
use of a crane and thus proved to be an unnecessary expense. It is
suggested for future trenches 2 ft lengths be used.

•It was also found that the number

of holes in the grills were too few to
accommodate the flow of the rain
water. It is suggested to increase the
number of holes for the same.
 Contact
For further information please contact us.
Coordinators for Chennai:
Romaine San Francesco 08939929678, 09823529678
Priyanka Jain 08939794448, 09886821683
GeetaSriprakash09962251672

Email:

Project Site:
SarathuKandigaiVillage, PammadukulamPanchayat
AmbatturTaluk (Red Hills), ThiruvallurDistrict
Mailing address:
No. 41, RanjitRoad
Kotturpuram, Chennai - 600085
THANK YOU