K.R. Gopinath

The Chairman of KRG Rainwater Harvesting Foundation, Mr. K.R. Gopinath is a pioneer in the field of water harvesting in India. His scientific Rainwater Harvesting models are working successfully in numerous municipalities, industrial establishments, factories, houses and other institutions in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Using over 19 years of experience in the field of Rainwater Harvesting and over 30 years of experience as an engineer, Mr. Gopinath has saved many cities and towns of India from acute water scarcity. In other words, he has provided water to millions of Indians.

Mr. Gopinath's mission in life is to participate in the national and global effort to provide high-quality drinking water to all. It is his belief that Rainwater Harvesting is the best possible - and the most eco-friendly - means to resolving the global water crisis.


Major Achievements

1. A pioneer at implementing Rainwater Harvesting systems and techniques in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
   
   
2. Convener of a session, titled "Rainwater Harvesting and Educational Awareness", under the theme "Water and Cities", at the prestigious 3rd World Water Forum, in Japan, in March 2003. Participated in the meeting for conveners, in Japan, in November 2002.
   
   
3. Has presented papers on Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in various prestigious conventions, seminars and
   workshops, like:
   
   Eighth National Water Convention, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, conducted by Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
   
   National Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, conducted by Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
   
   Workshop on Challenges in Ground Water Development, organized by Central Board of Irrigation and Power, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
   
   National Seminar on Ground Water Management Strategies, organized by the State Government of Rajasthan.
   
   Two-day workshop on Rainwater Harvesting, organised by UNICEF and Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency, Pune, exclusively for their hydro- geologists and geologists, in the state of Maharashtra.
   
   One-day workshop at Chandrapur, organized by UNICEF for industrialists, engineers and NGOs, in the state of Maharashtra.
   
   Water Summit 2002, conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) at Chennai.
   
   Development Programme for civil engineers and architects of CED & EMD of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Bangalore, on Water Harvesting Techniques at ISRO, Bangalore.
   
   Regional Consultation Workshop on Water in Asian Cities - The Role of Civil Society, Asian Development Bank, Manila, The Philippines.
   
   Rainwater Harvesting in Urban Habitats, Mumbai, organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Government of Maharashtra.
   
   One-day seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, conducted for civil engineers and hydro-geologists at Indian Institute of Coal Management, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
   
   
4. Successfully carried out Technical Feasibility Study on Rainwater Harvesting for 14 municipalities in Andhra Pradesh, and implemented the recommendations partly, under the advice of the state government.
   
   
5. Carried out a study on Rainwater Harvesting in Dewas District of Madhya Pradesh, under the advice of the state government.
   
   
6. Carried out a detailed Technical Feasibility Study on Rainwater Harvesting for 33 municipalities in Gujarat, and implemented the recommendations in a few municipalities, under the advice of the state government.
   
   
7. Carried out regular workshops on Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Structures for General Managers and other senior officers of the Indian Railways, at the Railway Staff College, Vadodara, Gujarat.

Present Position

Founder & Chairman, KRG Rainwater Harvesting Foundation

Managing Director,
M/s Precision Mechfab Pvt Ltd (Bright bar manufacturing company)

Past Positions

• Member of a High-Power Committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Second State Finance Commission
  
  
• Project Consultant for RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations), Vasant Kunj and adjoining areas
  
  
• Chairman, Groundwater Development and Rainwater Harvesting, Rotary Club district 3230, comprising 85 branches
  
  
• Working Committee member in the Water Conservation Committee of Chennai Metro-water
  
  
• Member of Advisory Committee for implementing Rainwater Harvesting in Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, New Delhi
  
  
• Co-chairman - Rainwater Harvesting, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Chennai
  
  
• Member of Indian Water Resources Society
  
  
• General-body member of Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee, Kanyakumari
  
  
• Promoter of Royal Club in Chennai
  
  
• Committee member of Chinmaya school, Chennai
  
  

Other Current Positions

• Steering Committee Member of the National Water Harvesters' Network, Chennai
  
  
• Indian Representative of International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA), Singapore
  
  
• Member of Advisory Committee, Akash Ganga Trust, Chennai
  
  
• Resource person, Rain Centre, Chennai

Expertise

Mr. Gopinath has expertise in…

• Identifying hydro-geologically potential zones for water-extraction structures, like bore wells and dug wells (open wells).
  
  
• Studying tube wells in operation; designing and constructing recharge structures for existing bore wells, to make them sustainable.
  
  
• Studying defunct tube wells and dry open wells and converting
  them into Artificial Recharge Structures.
  
  
• Studying physiography and drainage pattern of a given region and recommending measures to improve the catchment area for water bodies.
  
  
• Designing Artificial Recharge Structures, like Percolation ponds, Recharge wells, Percolation Pits, Mini Artificial Aquifer Systems (MAAS), and Sectorial Recharge Structures.
  
  
• Giving recommendations to create artificial surface water bodies.
  
  
• Designing surface water harvesting and artificial recharge structures, like ercolation Pits (PP), Dug Cum Bore wells (DCB), and Trench Cum Percolation Pits (TCP) for bore wells and open wells.
  
  
• Introducing roof water harvesting systems for individual and multi-storeyed buildings.
  
  
• Recommending measures to make ground water resources sustainable.
  
  
• Designing structures to recharge lineaments and pediments.
  
  
• Identifying suitable areas for surface and sub-surface bodies.
  
  
• Designing recharge structures for storm water drains.
  
  
• Recommending treatment methods for sullage water.
  
  
• Preparing maps.
  
  
• Identifying areas for check dams, barriers and gully plugs.

Major Designs and Structures

Mr. Gopinath has developed the following designs and structures for Rainwater Harvesting, Water Conservation and Water Management…

· Roof Water Harvesting and Gate valve System
· Filtering System - KRG-1 model
· Filtering System - KRG-2 model
· Recharge structure for water logging - KRG-3 model
· Percolation Pit for Deccan Trap and granite area
· Percolation Pit for sedimentary area
· Percolation Pit - cattle trap model
· Dug cum Bore well (DCB) for rocky area
· Dug cum Bore well (DCB) for sedimentary area
· Trench cum Percolation Pit (TCP)
· Recharge structure for Defunct Bore well
· Mini Artificial Aquifer System (MAAS)
· On-canal and off-canal Reservoir
· Recharge structure for storm water drain
· System for recycling and reuse of waste water for flushing toilet
· KRG Model V (For grey water treatment)
· Rainwater Harvesting structure for drinking purpose
· Community Water Harvesting
· Filter Tank
· Mineral-Water Bottle Irrigation
· Sand dam
· Ground Catchment System
· Diversion of storm water drain to Recharge well
· Rainwater Harvesting system in factory premise
· Recharge well
· Recharge structure for dual aquifer
· Tube well Recharge Structure (for surface water harvesting)
· Rainwater Harvesting through open wells
· Rainwater Harvesting through defunct bore wells
· Recharge structure for defunct open wells
· Recharge structure for production wells
· Rainwater Harvesting for Multipurpose Centre
· Recharge structure along storm water drain
· Collection chambers for Recharge structures along road sides
· Recharge well with desilting arrangement
· Recharge shaft for ponds
· Cost effective check dam
· Railway Bridge cum check dam
· Bandhara cum check dam
· Rainwater Harvesting through trains

The above-mentioned designs and structures have been recommended for municipalities, government authorities, industries, institutions and residences. The ones implemented have yielded successful results.

Major Seminars on Water Conservation, Water Management and Rainwater Harvesting addressed by Mr. Gopinath

• District Seminar on Harvesting and Conservation of Rainwater, organized by Rotary Club of Anna Nagar, Chennai, W.C.S. District 3230, on September 18, 1993.
  
• National Seminar, organized by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi. Seminar was inaugurated by the Honourable President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, in 1997.
  
• Workshop on "Recharging and Recycling of water: an Urban Perspective", organized by HMWS and Builders' Forum. Workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Hariharan, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, at Hotel Viceroy Hyderabad, on June 6, 1998.
  
• Seminar on "Water", organized by the District Administration and Senior Citizens' Group of Dewas, on May 5, 1999.
  
• Seminar on water harvesting for Commissioners, Presidents and other executives of all Municipalities of Gujarat State, on May 19, 1999.
  
• Eighth National Water Convention, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, organized by National Water Development Agency and Government of Tamil Nadu, from February 9 to 11, 2000.
  
• Seminar on Adoption of Low-cost Technology in Rainwater Harvesting, on March 11, 2000. Participants included District collectors and other government officials at Virudunagar, Tamil Nadu.
  
• National Seminar at New Delhi, on May 22, 2000. Seminar was inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee.
  
• Workshop on "Challenges in Groundwater Development", Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, from June 7 to 9, 2000.
  
• National Seminar on "Groundwater Management and Strategies in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions", Birla Auditorium, Jaipur, organized by Groundwater Department, Rajasthan, on June 23 and 24, 2000.
  
• Seminar on water harvesting, conducted by CII (Confederation of Indian Industries), Southern Region, on July 31, 2000.
  
• Aqua Tech 2000, International Conference on "Water Resource Management", supported by Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Environment and Forests, on November 11 and 12, 2000.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, organized by CII in Madurai, on November 30, 2000.
  
• Seminar on water harvesting and management, organized by Vikram Sarabahai - AMA Memorial Trust, Ahmedabad, on April 15, 2001.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, organized by ITC and IEMSD (Institute of Environmental Management and Social Development), in Chennai, on June 4, 2001.
  
• Presentation on Rainwater Harvesting, organized by Railway Staff College, Vadodara, Gujarat, on August 2, 2001.
  
• Seminar on "An integrated Approach for Strengthening and Protecting Drinking Water Sources", organized by Directorate of Groundwater Surveys & Development Agency, Pune, on September 27 and 28, 2001.
  
• Green Building Congress 2001 - a workshop organized by CII in Hyderabad, on October 9 and 10, 2001. Theme of workshop: "Urban Water Harvesting".
  
• Panel discussion on "The Unenviable Environment we are in", organized by Indian Institute of Architects, on October 31, 2001.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, organized by Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, and Srinivasan Trust of TVS, Chennai.
  
• Two-day workshop on "Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting" in Pune, organized by the Directorate of Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) and UNICEF, exclusively for their hydro-geologists and geologists in the state of Maharashtra, on February 4 and 5, 2002.
  
• Workshop at Railway Staff College, Vadodara, from February 11 to 15, 2002. Participants included General Managers and other principal heads of department.
  
• Water Summit 2002, organized by Confederation of Indian Industry in Chennai, on March 15, 2002.
  
• Seminar on the latest techniques of Rainwater Harvesting, in Ahmedabad, organized by Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) for residential complexes, institutions and industries, April 15, 2002.
  
• One-day workshop on water harvesting, in Chandrapur, organized by UNICEF and Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency, Pune, on March 18, 2002. Participants included industrialists, engineers and NGOs.
  
• Seminar on June 2002. Audience included the Municipal Commissioner of Baroda and other government officials.
  
• Development Programme for civil engineers and architects of CED & EMD of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Bangalore on Water Harvesting Techniques at ISRO, Bangalore, on July 27, 2002.
  
• Seminar on water harvesting, in Solapur, organized by the Youth Congress President of National Congress Party, Maharashtra, in July 2002.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, in Chozhanganallur Town Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, on August 13, 2002.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, in Perungudi Town Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, on August 13, 2002.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, in Pallikkaranai Town Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, on August 13, 2002.
  
• Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting, in Thirupporur, on August 13, 2002.
  
• Seminar on "Rainwater Harvesting Techniques", organized by TVS colony, Padi and Citizens' Association for Rights and Duties (CARD), on August 31, 2002.
  
• Seminar on water management, organized by Pollution Control Board, Chennai and Madras Social Service Society, on September 13, 2002.
  
• Special session on "Case Studies: Traditional and Local Initiatives for Rainwater Harvesting", during The Regional Consultation Workshop on "Water in Asian Cities", organized by Asian Development Bank, Manila, The Philippines, from October 14 to 16, 2002.

Turning Points

I. An invitation by the Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, to commence Rainwater Harvesting in Andhra Pradesh, followed by a path-breaking seminar on June 6, 1998.

II. A presentation during a national seminar in 1997, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi. Seminar was inaugurated by the Honourable President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan

III. A visit by Dr. Chadda, Chairman of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), New Delhi, to the residence of Mr. Gopinath, in Chennai, in 1999. The visit was followed by an invitation to attend a national seminar in New Delhi on May 22, 2000. Seminar was inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee

IV. A visit by Mr. Gopalakrishnan, IAS., the Principal Secretary of the Honourable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Digvijay Singh, to the residence of Mr. Gopinath, in 1998. The visit resulted in an invitation by Mr. Mohan Rao, IAS, the District Collector of Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, to give a presentation on Rainwater Harvesting at a seminar in Madhya Pradesh. Under the advice of the District Collector, a detailed Technical Feasibility Study on Rainwater Harvesting has been carried out for Dewas town.

V. An invitation by Dr. Manjula Subramaniam, IAS, the Principal Secretary of the Government of Gujarat, to give a presentation on Rainwater Harvesting, in a seminar for Commissioners, Presidents and other executives of all Municipalities of Gujarat State, on May 19, 1999.

Records

Mr. Gopinath is…

• The first expert to initiate Rainwater Harvesting programmes through the Confederation of Indian Industries.
  
• The first consultant to conduct Technical Feasibility Studies on Rainwater Harvesting in 50 Indian municipalities.
  
• The first to conduct Technical Feasibility Studies on Rainwater Harvesting in more than five Indian states.

Awards

Mr. Gopinath is recipient of…

The prestigious INDIRA GANDHI PRIYADARSHINI AWARD, for his outstanding services, achievements and contributions in the field of Rainwater Harvesting, on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The award was given by the All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi, on November 19, 2001.

The VOCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for the year 2001- 2002. The award was given by the Rotary Club of Anna Nagar, Chennai.

Contact Address

Chennai

KRG RAINWATER HARVESTING FOUNDATION
Plot No. 180, Sidco Industrial Estate, Ambattur,
Chennai - 600 098
Tamil Nadu, India
Telephone Nos:
(044) 2625 2424
(044) 2654 7131
(044) 2654 3891
Mobile: 98410 45666
E-mail: krgrainwaterharvesting@rediffmail.com

Baroda

9, Patel Park, 80, Vishwas Colony, R.C. Dutt Road, Alkapuri,
Baroda 390 005
Gujarat, India
Telephone Nos:
(0265) 2325298
(0265) 2325299
(0265) 2339192
Fax:
(0265) 2325298
Mobile: 98240 31974
Contact: Mr. Diwakar Shetty