Conservation and efficiency are the key words among all verticals of industries in the Coimbatore manufacturing cluster. However, most of the focus seems to be on energy conservation. Ask the businesses about water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives and there is a mixed response.

While awareness and steps taken are high among some sectors, much needs to be done in other sectors.

The awareness level among textile units is high on water harvesting and water conservation, says K. Selvaraju, secretary general of Southern India Mills’ Association, explaining the efforts taken by the units.

Most of the micro industries buy water for their daily needs. This is an additional expense. Hence, they do try to harvest rainwater and reduce the water purchased during rainy season, according to J. James, president of Tamil Nadu Association of Tiny and Cottage Enterprises.

While many small and medium-scale industries do have rainwater harvesting structures, maintenance is a challenge, says R. Ramamurthy, president of Coimbatore District Small Industries Association.

More than 60 % of the SMEs operate out of own buildings and would have rainwater harvesting structures. But not all are able to maintain it regularly. The SME unit owners need to give more focus on rain water harvesting and water conservation, he says.

President of Southern India Engineering Manufacturers’ Association V. Krishnakumar says, “In fact we are thinking of a programme on water conservation. I plan to stress on water conservation and harvesting at the Association’s annual meeting,” he says.

There are several options - rain water can be channelised to abandoned bore wells, it can be harvested from roof tops and stored in tanks, and treated water can be used for gardening. “Every individual should feel the responsibility,” he says. Similarly, every State government should come out with programmes to create awareness and promote rain water harvesting and water conservation.

V. Lakshminarayanasamy, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, says the chamber has conducted several meetings on water, natural farming, agriculture, and water conservation. When the State government had made rainwater harvesting structures mandatory, almost every one constructed a structure. But not all are functional now. “The trade bodies can do a study on steps taken by their members and awareness sessions can be organised,” he says.

According to Dr. Selvaraju, rainwater harvesting and water conservation has been taken up on a large scale by textile units. Most of the mills are located in areas where there is water scarcity. Since the mills have to shell out huge amounts for water, they go in for conservation. Textile processing units and humidification plants need water.

The processing units reuse more than 90 % of the waste water. Technology development and availability of machinery have helped the industries treat and reuse water and bring down water consumption. There are textile units that go in for water audit too and steam recovery too.

Another area where the textile units have focused is planting of saplings and water-related projects through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, he says.