Rainwater for Humanity is seeking a team player with at least a B. Tech / B.E. Degree in Civil Engineering to  join us.

Rainwater for Humanity is a start-up community project in the Kuttanad region initiated by Mahatma Gandhi University School of Environmental Sciences in India and Brown University students and graduates in US. Rainwater for Humanity uses rainwater harvesting as an entry point to improve community health and empower women in the Kuttanad region of Kerala, India. Our vision is a low-cost rainwater harvesting system that will be affordable and functional in a low-lying wetland region like Kuttanad. We have started in the Achinakom Village. By designing a low cost rainwater harvesting system with financing options and involving women throughout, we will extend our operations to other villages in the future. Our local partners include Vechoor Panchayath and a 8,000-member-strong women’s self help group, Kottayam Jilla Mahila Thazhapaya Vikasana Federal Samithi (KJMTVFS). The project leaders include academia and experts from Mahatma Gandhi University, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), KJMTVFS and Brown University.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design different prototypes of low cost rainwater harvesting system functional in a low-lying wetland region like Kuttanad, with the assistance from Brown University R&D team and engineering experts
• Render CAD drawings of the prototypes
• Conduct focus group meetings with local masons in Kuttanad
• Source materials by visiting factories or manufacturers
• Visit and identify appropriate locations for building prototypes
• Participate in the construction of the prototypes
• Assess and monitor the structural stability and durability of prototypes
• Proactively reach out to experts in the engineering field for feedback and guidance
• Communicate frequently, on average once per week with the Brown University R&D team via internet video conference call
• Report regularly, once per month, to the leadership team on the result, evaluation and ongoing progress of prototyping. This prototyping updates should be compiled with the Program Coordinator’s monthly report

REQUIREMENTS

• Persistence and passion in serving marginal communities
• Determined in achieving RW4H’s vision of providing clean drinking water through appropriate low cost design
• Entrepreneurial, ambitious, adaptive, systematic and results-oriented thinking
• Bachelor degree or higher in civil engineering. Masters or post-graduate degree preferred
• Proficiency in Malayalam and English
• A 2 months probation period
• Strong system diagram rendering skills, using software such as CAD
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills in accessing materials strength, water pressure and optimization of material usage
• Strong computer skills such as ability to conduct research online, use & communicate via emails, blogs and skype
• Comfort in motivating and working with villagers
• Knowledge in appropriate technology or water treatment a plus
• Experience in bottom-up projects in areas such as appropriate technologies implementation, women empowerment, community health, water and sanitation a plus

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary. Rs 15,000 per month, plus bonus. Salary negotiable depending on candidate’s experience
• Opportunity to build an innovative startup with the counsel and support of numerous leaders, academic experts and activists from India and the US
• Satisfaction from working in a team dedicated to provide a sustainable source of water and living to the Kuttanad communities and beyond

START DATE & LOCATION

The Engineer will begin work in December 2009. The location of work is in Kottayam, Kerala State of India. The project has a timeline of 1 to 2 year(s) at present.

HOW TO APPLY?

1. Send your resume/CV and a cover letter to info@rainwaterforhumanity.org at least 1 day before December 16
2. Attend the walk-in interview. Please bring the original and a copy of your degree certificate(s), academic transcript(s) and relevant award(s)

Date: December 16, 2009 (Wednesday)

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Venue: School of Environmental Sciences, MG University

For enquiries, contact –9446058120 / 9447914132 / 9605442580

The system has been completed and the first drop of rainwater has trickled down the catchment area, sped along the gutter, squeezed through gravels sand and charcoal, rolled into the PVC pipe and entered the ferrocement tank.

The completed system

The journey of this raindrop is made possible by the perspirations, brain juice and hard-earned income of people across the world. However, we are not in the position to celebrate yet. This is the beginning of trillions more of raindrops that need to be harvested.

With that note, the following tasks are yet to be accomplished in the coming 3 months-
Reiterations of rainwater harvesting prototypes
Hiring of a full time local Program Director
Building an organization structure to ensure accountability on the impacts we held ourselves against
Clarifying Rainwater’s visions and strategies
Aligning stakeholders’ values with Rainwater’s

There’s a saying “spectators can see the race clearly, but the athletes’ views are clouded.” We appreciate any thoughts especially on appropriate technology design, hydrology & engineering, and setting up the organization structure of a start-up social enterprise.

The mason applying plaster on the sidewall

In terms of the construction update, the side wall has been erected. A coat of plaster has also been applied on the exterior surface. The remaining days will be used to apply the last layer of cement and plaster on the interior surface, install the gutters, put up the mild steel sheets and build the filter units. We also plan to trim the tree branches around the system to prevent leaf debris and birds droppings from accumulating on the system’s catchment area.

The Kottayam District of Kerala has recently banned sand mining. Therefore, it has been impossible to purchase river sand, one of the essential building materials, within the Kottayam District. The lack of materials has led to a few days of delay. Fortunately, there is some sand available from a neighboring construction site that we can use for now. The second challenge we face is installing a filter system which will function properly. According to literatures on slow sand filters, they are capable of filtering out 90-99% of bacteria. However, we found that fecal coliform is present in all rain water samples collected from Achinakom Village’s existing ferrocement tank. After discussing with Dr. Abhirosh, Sylas and Rahul, we think that there are 3 possible explanations- 1) the slow sand filter is functioning properly, however the catchment area is highly contaminated, hence even after filtering, fecal coliform is still present in the storage tank; 2) the filter is not functioning properly, this might be due to an insufficient retention time or the poor design/construction of the filter and; 3) the rainwater harvesting system is not maintained/cleaned properly by the users.

In order to shed light on why there is such a high fecal coliform level in the existing rainwater harvesting tank, we will build several slow sand filters in the MGU School of Environmental Sciences laboratory and test their filtering capabilities.

Side wall and supports. The 3 openings are for the overflow, outlet and inlet respectively.

We had a second and third official MGU Rainwater for Humanity student team meetings on September 17 and September 22 respectively. Dr. Thomas clarified how such community work/service like RW4H are learning opportunities and how it fits with the academic program in the Department. Afterward, Sylas and I explained the 4 areas that the students can work on, namely Technical design, Women empowerment, Water quality and Communication. The students then freely joined whichever team that was interesting to them. Each team also nominated a coordinator to be the contact person. As most of the first-year Master students are unfamiliar with the Kuttanad region, we are planning a field-trip to the Achinakom Village and the surrounding area soon.

MGU SES Master students Renuka, Raisa and Ambily going over the survey in Mayalam and English for tracking impact.

On a personal note, I managed to stop by a supermarket in the area a few days ago. There, I found “Red Delicious” apples! I am having a kanka mouth sore, most probably from consuming too much curry. Together with a bunch of tissue rolls (a luxury too, as each of them is equivalent to the price of a meal in a restaurant i.e. Rs 35 or USD 0.7), I left the supermarket with joy and much anticipation to sink my teeth in the apples.

satisfaction

The Achinakom Model

The past week of Onam holiday offered me a chance to step back and reflect on the project’s progress thus far. The day after Eli and Andrea left, I traveled to Haripad and met with one of our advisors, Dr. Anil Kumar from MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. I returned to MGU with a clearer idea of how the project could proceed. Dr. Kumar suggested convening a high level meeting with senior representatives from every involved partner and stakeholder namely MGU School of Environmental Sciences, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Women’s self-help group, Achinakom Local Committee, Vechoor Panchayath representative, and Brown team. The pilot model will take about 2 years to show its track record. Rainwater for Humanity is a collective effort, and thus the decisions should be made collectively as well. The meeting will lay out the roles and responsibilities that each party should take up. In addition, the meeting will set targets, milestones and timelines attached to each of them. The next step is then to derive strategies to achieve each of those targets or milestones.

Elephant in a SNDP parade in front of MGU during Onam

The meeting will lay down the incremental steps needed from each partner during the next 2 years needed to achieve our vision, the Achinakom Model. Ideally, the meeting can happen at around the same time as the opening ceremony of the rainwater harvesting system in Achinakom.

The system tilts

On Sunday, Sylas, Dr. John and myself went to Achinakom to 1) check on the system and 2) conducted a meeting with the Achinakom Local Committee and the mason to determine the remaining construction schedule. Due to a number of unexpected technical difficulties, the total construction cost has exceeded the original estimation. The total cost of the system is now Rs 165,000, an increase of about 25% from the estimation. As a measure to cut costs from hiring labor, the beneficiaries have agreed to take turns to help with the construction. In return, we shall provide the participating beneficiaries a living stipend. The mason has also guaranteed to complete the system within the upcoming seven days.

The tilting of the system has increased significantly compared to last week. On the western end, the system’s shell has detached from the canal wall and is uplifted to about 10 cm above ground. (See video) The mason explained that the uplifting are due to 1) the higher water pressure from the western end closer to the canals and 2) a heavier weight in the eastern end as more cement has been applied there. In order to ascertain the structure’s integrity, we went to speak with Dr. George Abe (an engineer and scientist of the CWRDM Kottayam sub-center) on Tuesday. He confirmed that the system shall sit once it is filled with water. The structural integrity of the system is still sound, since no crack develops though the system is uplifted by water. We also discussed several versions of the second generation prototypes with him. Mainly, we have been brainstorming several designs with different combinations of 1) using clay or jute bags filled with sand as cushion, 2) precast concrete rings or rubber tires as skeleton, and 3) silpaulin as the water proof membrane.

The system is uplifted for about 10 cm in the western end.

Dr. Abe suggested looking into a type of grass called Vetiver, locally known as Raamacham. It is commonly used for soil stabilization, water conservation and water treatment. Vetiver is non-invasive and can grow in extreme conditions; it has deep roots and can be used for handicrafts making or perfume production, making vetiver an appealing candidate to preventing surface water run-off.  See overview slideshow or learn more at Vetiver Organization.  

In addition, he highlighted that the transportation cost of bulky materials might outweigh the economic benefits of their cheap prices. He mentioned a NGO operating in the area known as Anthyodhaya which sells ready-made 5,000L capacity above-ground ferrocement tanks. We should compare the costs and make sure that the new design is more cost effective.

Sylas and Achinakom villagers inspecting the system

The next steps

The pursuit to design an affordable and durable rainwater harvesting system in the Kuttanad wetland area continues to be challenging and exciting. We shall learn and incorporate local technologies along the way. The immediate next step is to start conducting small-scale components mock-ups. We are building the MGU R4H team too. Sylas and myself have been brainstorming what the format of the first meeting should be, the type of materials to include and the type of activities that will create self-motivation. Any suggestions out there?

How are the Brown R4H team members doing? All the best with the semester ahead!