Latest news with #PKSelvaraj
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Abandoned open well in TN turns model for sustainable water management
COIMBATORE: An abandoned open well located within a waterbody at Rayarpalayam near Sulur in the district has become a model for an economical water distribution system, thanks to the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharge project. The waterbody conservation forum 'Kousika Neerkarangal' revived the well, establishing it as a primary groundwater source for the village, while replacing the previous borewell supply. The NGO claims that the open well can save around 220 units of electricity each day and around Rs 1 lakh in electricity costs every two months when compared to the conventional borewell water supply. The well was found a month ago while desilting the Rangasamuthiram Lake- a tank spanning around 25 acres in the Pathuvampalli village panchayat of Sulur taluk. "The well is located at the northwest corner of the tank and is one of the 1,230 waterbodies benefitting from the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharge project. This project rejuvenates the groundwater source of the tank, allowing us to identify the well, which holds water at a depth of 75 feet. After desilting and cleaning the well, we repaired its structure. With a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level below 350 mg/L, the water from the well has been supplied to the village, replacing borewell water, whose TDS levels were above 700 mg/L," said PK Selvaraj, founder of Kousika Neerkarangal.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Conservationists urge skin walls to be built to protect weakening weirs of Agraharasamakulam tank
COIMBATORE: NGO Kousika Neer Karanngal focusing on conserving water bodies in Coimbatore has successfully constructed a skin wall for surplus weir of Agraharasamakulam tank, which was found to be weak. The NGO also urged authorities to build similar skin walls while desilting water bodies to ensure safer water retention in the future. The Agraharasamakulam tank receives water from the Outlet Management System (OMS) of Avinashi-Athikkadavu Groundwater Recharge scheme and other natural resources, which is one of the major water storage tanks along the Kousika river belt. "The surplus weir of the tank, which holds 400 million litres of water, was found to be dangerously weak last year. Since it is a load-bearing structure, it may not be able to withstand hydrological pressure from water storage. Hence, we decided to construct a skin wall for the weir. With the support of Water Resources Department and experts from Public Works Department, we designed and constructed the skin wall with the help of private sponsors," said PK Selvaraj, Founder of Kousika Neer Karanngal. "The wall was constructed alongside the existing weir by strengthening bunds on either side, ranging from three to 25 feet. The foundation of the skin wall was laid up to six feet beneath the existing structure, which effectively doubles the water holding capacity of the weir and allows it to manage excess load. The entire project was completed within a month," Selvaraj added.
