When Ganesh Shanbhag’s apartment complex faced a crippling water shortage—dried-up borewells and skyrocketing tanker prices—he refused to just accept the situation. Instead of watching helplessly as water bills soared, he took matters into his own hands, and in doing so, changed the way hundreds of Bengaluru apartments manage their water needs.

Bengaluru’s residents have become all too familiar with the routine: empty water tanks, costly water tankers, and the persistent fear of running out of water. But what if the solution had been right above them all along, falling from the sky?

Ganesh saw an opportunity in rainwater harvesting (RWH), a solution often dismissed due to concerns about cost and complexity. Neighbours warned him that it would be too expensive, too technical. But Ganesh was undeterred. He rallied his community, and together they designed and implemented an efficient rainwater harvesting system for their apartment complex—home to 100 flats—all for under Rs 3 lakh.

The results were immediate and impressive. Within just two months, they saved Rs 2,00,000 in water bills and dramatically reduced their reliance on expensive tanker water. The system also helped recharge the local water table, addressing long-term sustainability concerns.

Seeing the success of this initiative, Ganesh extended his expertise to over 300 Bengaluru communities, helping them implement similar systems without charging any fees for his work. His weekends are now dedicated to assisting other apartments facing water crises, guiding them through the setup of their own rainwater harvesting systems.

How the Rainwater Harvesting System Works:

  1. Catchment and Collection:
    The rooftop of the apartment complex is the primary catchment area. PVC gutters, strategically installed along the roof’s perimeter, direct rainwater into downpipes for maximum collection, even during light rain.
  2. Initial Filtration:
    A ‘first flush’ mechanism diverts the initial surge of rainwater, which contains debris and dust. After this, the water passes through a coarse mesh filter to remove larger particles.
  3. Advanced Filtration:
    The water then goes through disc filters, which are efficient, low-maintenance, and more affordable than traditional pop-up filters. Multiple layers of mesh filters provide an extra level of filtration. Ozone generators are also installed to purify the water further.
  4. Storage and Distribution:
    The filtered water is stored in underground tanks, providing a reserve. This water is pumped into overhead tanks, from where it’s gravity-fed to various parts of the complex.
  5. Groundwater Recharge:
    Any excess rainwater is directed into a recharge pit, helping replenish the local aquifer and contributing to the sustainability of the area’s water supply.

Ganesh’s system is more than just a way to save money on water bills—it’s a long-term solution to Bengaluru’s water crisis, which has seen the water table fall dramatically in recent years. His work has shown that with a bit of community effort and an innovative approach, rainwater harvesting can be a practical and cost-effective solution to urban water shortages.

Reach Out to Ganesh

If you’re a resident of Bengaluru and want to reduce your dependency on water tankers, Ganesh is available to help. Having already assisted over 300 communities, your apartment could be next. Reach out to Ganesh via ganesh4889@gmail.com, or connect with him through Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Ganesh’s initiative not only provides a practical solution to water scarcity but also demonstrates the power of community-driven action and innovative thinking. By adopting such systems citywide, Bengaluru can take a giant leap toward resolving its water crisis.

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