MAKING INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY EZHIMALA SELF RELIANT IN WATER RESOURCES

THROUGH RAIN WATER HARVESTING

CHAO BHARTIYA, IDSE

ABSTRACT

Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala is the premier training institute for officers of Indian Navy and Indian
Coast Guard. It is situated on the Malabar coastal belt in Kannur district of Kerala. Despite receiving long
term annual average rainfall of 496 cm and a catchment area of approx 2500 acres, INA is dependent on
Kerala Water Authority for its present potable as well as training water requirements of 2.50 MLD. No
rain water harvesting scheme has been devised for INA though it has potential to fulfill all of its water
requirements through rain water harvesting. The catchment area of INA can be defined into seven micro
watersheds with each of them supporting a specific set of rain water harvesting methodologies. These
micro watersheds have different geomorphology; from sandy beaches at sea level to lush evergreen
lateritic hills at 250 m above sea level, all within a distance of 500 m to 1000 m. This steep slope coupled
with hydraulic conductivity of the top layer (lateritic deposits or sandy/silty soil) in the range of 1 x 10 -4
cm/s to 1 x 10-5 cm/s results into quick surface as well as sub-surface flow of almost all rainfall into the
sea. The development of infrastructure at INA by cutting hill slopes along contours has also resulted into
quicker surface as well as sub-surface flow. Such adverse conditions for rain water harvesting demands
application of indigenous knowledge as well as latest technologies. This twin approach and the fact that
INA has its own land requirement for infrastructure development lead us to philosophy of rain water
harvesting through reducing and trapping sub-surface flow in the highly conductive lateritic and sandy-
silty top layer of lands. Contour bunds, reservoir, small dams and sub-surface barrier are the major
methodology to trap the rain water. The common methods of rain water harvesting like roof top
harvesting and ground water recharge are not amenable here. The main method to extract this harvested
water through open dug wells is also defined by the high hydraulic conductivity. These open dug wells
will need to be interconnected and a separate water supply scheme to be developed for each of the water
sheds. The result of such sustainable resource utilization will be befitting to an institute aspiring to be a
role model in the world.

1. INTRODUCTION: Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala (INA); the premier training

institute for officers of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, is situated on the Malabar coastal belt in
Kannur district of Kerala. It is spread over approx 2500 acres. The landscape rises from sea level to more
than 250m height in a short distance of 500 1000 m. In between the hill and sea coast lays tracts of
sandy beaches, backwaters and lateritic plains. The vegetation of Ezhimala is moist evergreen with pre-
INA plantation of coconut, cashew, pepper and jack fruit. However in last 25 years nature has taken over
these plantations. The rainy seasons is the most important season at Ezhimala lasting from June to
October with retreating monsoon also providing some rains in the months of November and December.
The south-west monsoon drenches Ezhimala with long term annual average rainfall of 496 cm. December
and January are cool with summer peaking in April and May.
INA is fully dependent on Kerala Water Authority (KWA) for its water requirements, potable as
well as indoor training purposes. During initial years of construction activities with a small naval base,
water supply was arranged by KWA by activating five open wells of pre-INA vintage. In 2007 KWA
commissioned Kakkadavu water works, 36 km away from INA and since then this well water supply and
filtration system is non-operational. Phase I of INA got functional in 2009 with water requirement of 2.50
MLD. Construction activities for Phase II have just started and are likely to be completed by 2018-19.
The KLP requirement of water will be 5.50 MLD, the agreement for which expires in 2019. It is evident
that the expiry of agreement coincides with the time of KLP water demand. Moreover the Kakkadavu
water works KWA supplies water through a temporary weir over Kariyangod River. An annual ritual of
pre-monsoon construction and washing away during monsoon of this temporary weir takes place for this
supply. This annual activity has huge social cost as population downstream of temporary weir faces
washed away debris and plastic bags; used in construction. The construction of permanent spillover
weir/barrage at intake point has not progressed beyond annual meetings with State Government. In the
wake political and social awareness towards water crisis INA faces a real water crisis in future.
There is another facet to this crisis. INA got its requirements of 2.50 MLD water without any
hassle till 2011. However in 2011, due to deficient rainfall, the supply got reduced drastically post
monsoon. Similar condition existed during 2012 also and it forced INA to think about alternate sources of
water. During April-May 2013 water supply from KWA was almost NIL and as emergency measure water
tankers were hired locally as well as from Kochi. RO plant from Hyderabad was also called. This water
scarcity erased the rank hierarchy of INA and everyone was busy filling water bucket from water tanker
and lifting it to almost 10-20 m from road level to their house. Some living at higher levels even
purchased small pump. Needless to say the training activities of INA hampered due to this emergency
situation.

Table 1: Water Supply from KWA (2011-12)

Period Qty
Upto Oct 11 2.50 MLD
Mar 11-Feb 12 2.30 MLD
Mar 12 2.00 to 9.00 MLD
Apr 12 09.00 to 1.5 MLD
From open wells 0.20 MLD

Quantum of rainfall on one hand and the Arabian Sea facing it, Ezhimala is still facing the ancient
mariners dilemma; water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.
In such a background the author got bemused to realize that apart from pre-INA dug wells not a
single drop of this precious resource has been planned to be used through rain water harvesting. In the
next two years at INA the author studied the rain water pattern, geomorphology and the indigenous pre-
INA rain water harvesting methodologies through dated and dilapidated structures. A lot of help came
from the fact that the construction of boundary wall along the periphery of INA took the author to every
nook of INA; from sandy beaches and marsh lands to lateritic hill tops, from dense and prickly rainforests
to deep and dark valleys. However as no budget for study and research existed, the author convinced
authorities to rope in CGWB Thiruvananthapuram to help and guide in finding out the right approach for
rain water harvesting at INA. This paper deals with the groundwork carried out in those two years
alongwith new methodologies in finding the right approach for rain water harvesting at INA without
compromising its training schedule and infrastructure; both present and future. It will be seen that
rainwater harvesting could make INA self reliant in its water requirements in a sustainable way.

2. THE WATER BUDGET OF INA: At Ezhimala rainy season lasts for 04-06 months. South-
west monsoon lashes Ezhimala from June till September. The retreating monsoon also brings rainfall
during October and November. At many occasions it has stretched till the month of December. Few spells
of rainfall also occurs during Jan-May due to Western disturbances. This year long cycle of rain has
provided Ezhimala will long term annual average rainfall of approx 500 cm (In contrast for Delhi it is
only 80 cm).
Table 2: Monthly rainfall (mm) in Ezhimala

YEAR JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY TOTAL

2010-11
1116.2 1226.5 1126.4 481.8 186.4 216.2 101.1 37.6 4.9 21.8 22.0 131.6 4672.5
Normal
2012-13
797.5 989.8 699.8 411.3 139.8 162.1 75.8 0 0 6.3 0 17.5 3299.9
Deficient
 Spread over the year and with expanse of approx 2500 acre the rain water availability for a normal
year can be calculated as:

4672.5 2500 x 4046

0 x = 129.51 MLD
1000 365 x 1000

This is a huge amount of water, approximately 25 times the KLP water requirements of INA.
Even in the rainfall deficient year the rain water availability is:

3299.9 2500 x 4046

0 x = 100.80 MLD
1000 365 x 1000

Thus in a rainfall deficient year also it is more than 18 times the requirements. However all of this
cannot be harvested due to geomorphic, geological and meteorological parameters. The land use pattern
also reduces its harvesting capabilities. As the data for these parameters are not available; an
approximation can be made for such geomorphology and meteorological conditions. If the annual
evaporation/potential evaporation losses and runoff losses could be taken as 1500 mm and 950 mm
respectively, water available for harvesting in a typical deficient year will be (3299.90 1500 950) mm
i.e., 849.90 mm. Therefore water available for harvesting will be:

849.9 2500 x 4046

0 x = 23.55 MLD
1000 365 x 1000

Event this qty is more than four times the KLP requirement. It is therefore established that
Ezhimala has full potential for sustainable development of independent water resources. Moreover the
surface runoff will be minimized post implementation of rain water harvesting schemes.

3. HYDROGEOLOGY OF EZHIMALA: Ezhimala has two district geological formations; weathered

and factual rocks, laterized on the top and the coastal and valley alluvium comprising of sand, silt and
clay. The thickness of lateritic ranges from 10-20 m. Laterite constitutes a potential aquifer in the central
plains due to its porous nature. In the hilly tracts laterised top forms a temporary aquifer post-monsoon
period. The laterite below coastal alluvium does not form potential aquifer as it occurs at considerable
depth. The valley alluvium is again a potential aquifer although it is shallow. The coastal alluvium is also
a potential of aquifer. However all these potential aquifers are plagued by two common problems, i.e.,
high hydraulic conductivity and lack of confining layers. This steep slope coupled with hydraulic
conductivity of the top layer (lateritic deposits or sandy/silty soil) in the range of 1 x 10 -4 cm/s to 1 x 10-5
cm/s results into quick surface runoff as well as sub-surface flow of almost all rainfall into the sea. It has
been estimated that the surface water reaches the sea in 24 hours only. The main philosophy of rain water
harvesting at Ezhimala, thus is adopting a set of measures to slow down surface runoff and sub-surface
flow and to create confining layers along the periphery of watersheds. Based on geomorphology the
catchment area of INA can be defined into seven micro watersheds with each of them supporting a
specific set of rain water harvesting methodologies. Another important aspect in delineating the
Watershed is infrastructure already in place as well as planned infrastructure.

4. THE METHODOLOGIES: As already brought out rain water harvesting at Ezhimala has to be
planned along the different micro watersheds. These watersheds have been identified based on
geomorphology and thereafter suitable methodologies have been proposed based on geomorphology,
hydrogeology and land use pattern.
 Sketch 1: Watershed at INA Ezhimala

Watershed I: The geomorphology of Watershed I has been highly altered both during
pre-INA period as well as post-INA period. The hill slope has been highly altered by terrace cutting and
construction of buildings. The present central undulating land of this Watershed has been reclaimed by
filling up pre-INA stone quarries with debris (lateritic and crystalline rock/boulders) from terrace cutting.
Moreover this Watershed also receives the outflow from watershed II. The outflow from this area leaves
INA perimeters and re-enters in Watershed II after draining part of Ramanthali Grampanchayat. The
vegetation cover has also been altered on the central undulating land and is least among all Watersheds.
The water from the slopes collects into the level land through a drainage system developed along natural
drainage pattern. The base rock underneath the top layer is highly fractured due to quarrying activities
during pre-INA period and the filled up debris is loose/unconsolidated being recent leading to quick loss
of water received to seepage.

Picture 1: Seepage loss in Watershed I

(a) Water level on 15th Jun 2012 (b) Water level on 18th Jun 2012 post rainfall (c) Water level on 26th Jun 2012
 A part of this Watershed has already been covered by infrastructure and being comparatively flat,
future expansion will cover a large part of the balance area. A detailed soil exploration is required in this
area to dig a series of open wells. To achieve the maximum exploration of sub-surface flow through dug
wells a semi pervious barrier must exist in the soil profile. This semi-pervious barrier can either be clayey
soil, sheet pile or brick/stone wall with hydraulic conductivity of the range 1x10-6 cm/s to 1x10-8 cm/s.
Sketch 2: Sub Surface Barrier
This will extend the sub-surface flow till dry period and
Clayey
water can be extract both on u/s and d/s side. Although the
SSB
Latertic lateritic deposit in this Watershed has layers of clayey soil
and contain clay to the extent of 5-15% the hydraulic
connectivity is in the range of 1x10 -4 cm/s to 1x10-5 cm/s.
Stone Quarry Moreover in the fractured crystalline rocks the hydraulic
conductivity is much more.
Localised Clayey The practical approach therefore in this watershed is
Layer identification of soil profile through soil exploration along
contours devoid of existing and planned infrastructure and
creating series of clayey sub-surface barrier (SSB) encompassing the upstream area. It would be prudent
to avoid the zone of fractured crystalline rock and construct SSB beyond it.
The delayed sub-surface flow then can be extracted through series of dug wells along the SSBs.

Watershed II:It consists of sandy-salty deposits along backwaters and backwaters it self. There
are some outcrops of lateritic deposits in continuation of watershed I. These outcrops are dotted with
open dug wells and small ponds the water of which is potable. The ultimate route of all the water from
Watershed IV, VI and VII to sea is through this Watershed only. Moreover this Watershed has been
partially altered by deposits of dredged sand from backwaters. In future growth also INA plan to use this
watershed extensively. This watershed can be avoided for rain water harvesting, although some open
wells can be dug in addition to old ones for localized use.

Watershed III: This watershed is least affected by human interaction apart from recently
constructed perimeter road. Moreover the geomorphology of this Watershed is the most promising of all
seven watersheds as every drop of rainfall can be conserved and harvested. The geomorphology of this
watershed comprises of hills topped with lateritic layer and valley topped with territory alluvium rich in
organic matters. The vegetation here is dense evergreen forest. The drainage pattern is dendrite and the
valley drains out inside INA in Watershed I. This watershed has many defunct pre-INA lined open wells.
These dug wells are filled up to brim during monsoons but are drained out quickly. During the year 2012-
13 and 2013-14 none of these well had water post February. As we go above, the water level in these
wells drain out quickly.

Graph 1: Depth of Water in Open Wells on Hill This confirms that the lateritic top in these areas has
very high hydraulic conductivity. To delay as well as
trap the surface and sub-surface flow in these higher
Depth of Water (mbgl) in Well @ reaches contour bunds will be most efficient. The
0.00
150 m
1.00 prominence of pre-INA contour bunds; although in
mbgl
2.00 poor state, on the slopes also suggest its time tested
Depth of Water (mbgl) in Well @ applicability. Moreover as the hills are dotted with
3.00
78 m boulders, construction of bunds will require only
4.00
labour. Material as well as transportation cost will be
5.00 nil. As all the flow from the slopes go to the valley,
the construction of SSB is not required on the slope. In addition to the contour bunds an earthen dam at
outlet of the valley is recommended. The philosophy behind this twin approach is to reduce the quantity
and speed of runoff, increase the ground water recharge and delay the sub surface flow.
 To increase the efficiency of contour bunds soil strengthening vegetation like Vetiver Grass can be
planted downstream of bunds. Such vegetation is sturdy and have deep roots, thus will hold the top soil
and strengthen the bund system. The ultimate aim will be to delay the runoff and sub-surface flow
towards the valley. Another indirect effect will be reduced height of the earthen dam and thereby lower
depth of submergence.
The valley discharges into watershed I and flows into a natural channel (now lined) beyond the INA
premises through Ramanthali Grampanchayat before meeting the backwaters.

Sketch 3: Modified Contour Bund As an additional benefit the downstream population

beyond INA will also benefit during post-monsoon period.
Vetiver The area downstream to the Eastern dam will harness the
delayed sub-surface flow through a series of dug well
during post monsoon season. Another series of dug wells
could also be planned on the lower reaches of the valley
Contour on upstream side.
Bund
Root

Watershed IV: Watershed IV feature the horse shoe shaped hills facing the sea and an
undulating valley sloping towards the sea. The slopes of the hills are highly altered by terrace cutting for
construction. A drainage system along the road on these terraces carries rain water to a man-made water
body. This is the most favourable area with respect to rain water harvesting where every drop of rainfall
could be directed to the water body. However due to terrace cutting and development of structures there
is little scope for contour bunds and dug wells. Apart from the contour bunds on the higher reaches very
little can be done to induce and delay the sub-surface flow. Thus the only option left is to develop the
man-made water body so as to make it capable of conserving water in the dry season. In the present form
the water body is just a recreational feature which ultimately discharges into Watershed II. The bottom of
the water body is at 5 to 10 m below the surrounding sloping area and thus provides an ample opportunity
to store water. The depth of the water body can also be lowered considerably as it is 30 m above sea-
level. The exposed lateritic surface show a series of clayey layers which corroborates with the fact even
in peak dry season it is able to store approx one m water.

Picture 3: Man-made Water Body

The methodologies applied to minimize seepage and evaporation
losses from this water body would be a combination of:-
Clayey

(a) Lining the surface with locally available stone.

(b) Deepening till continuous layers of confining
clay.
(c) Providing sub-surface barrier as elaborated for
watershed I, along the periphery.
Similarly to minimize evaporation loss, surface cover could be provided to supplement the natural
existing tree line around it. To extract water from this water body a combination of direct pumping and a
series dug wells on the periphery with Watershed II can be created.

Watershed V: This watershed has no independent geomorphologic identity and is part of

watershed VI. However as the rain water harvesting capabilities in watershed VI is limited at lower
reaches; this comparatively flatter inter-montane plateau has been carved out to harvest rain water
efficiently. A separate Watershed at higher reaches will reduce the ultimate surface and sub-surface flow
to Watershed VI and beyond INA.
The flatter part is devoid of dense vegetation and has shrubs and grass however there is dense
forest on the slopes. The shallow top soil comprises of semi consolidated black-brown clayey soil with
higher percentage of organic matter. Moreover as the lateritic top is least weathered here most of the
rainfall result into surface runoff.
The best rain water harvesting technique in this watershed comprises of contour bund on scopes
and a series of SSBs in the flatter parts sloping towards Watershed VI. These two methodologies have
already been described in Watershed I & Watershed III.

Watershed VI: RWH in Watershed VI is critical as the gathering area is large but scope to
harvest it is minimal. The Watershed comprises hill slopes and a steep V shaped valley. Actually valley
would be misnomer and it is a gorge draining out beyond INA perimeter. These slopes have dense forest
and are least affected by human activities.
An Earthen dam could be constructed in this Watershed; however the height to water storage
capacity will not be beneficial. Thus the methodologies of contour bunds and series of open wells on
slopes as elaborated for Watershed III would only be viable.

Watershed VII: Watershed VI is a mix land type area with elevation ranging from seal level
to highest peak of Ezhimala hills at +250 msl. It has sandy beaches, pre-INA paddy fields, lateritic flat
lands, granitic outcrops and hilly slopes. The highlight of this watershed is twelve pre-INA open wells in
the lateritic flat lands and sandy-silty fields which are perennial. These dug wells have supplied potable
water to INA during emergencies. In fact one of these wells has supplied water for all the construction
activities at INA since inception and even during peak dry weather. The sub-surface flow form upper
reaches keep these wells perennial even during peak dry weather

From rain water harvesting perspective this watershed can be divided into two zones. The upper
reaches where contour bunds can be constructed to reduce surface runoff and delay sub-surface flow. In
addition to this one of the two natural drainage systems in upper reaches can be tapped with small earthen
dam. However, the major work need to be done in the zone from msl till +2m i.e., in lateritic flat lands
and sandy-silty fields. This zone also caught attention of CGWB Thiruvananthapuram team which visited
INA in January 2014 to examine and suggest action plan for rain water harvesting.

Sketch 4: Typical Aquifer in

Sandy-Silty Zone near Sea Coast
This area is suitable for construction of a
different type of SSB i.e., a subsurface
dam. The site fulfills almost all
requirements for a subsurface dam site
viz., presence of shallow groundwater
with high fluidity, presence of a porous
layer (aquifer) for water storage and
presence of the surrounding basement
rock with low permeability.
(Ref: CGWB Thiruwananthpuram)

Picture 3: Subsurface Dam

Subsurface dam can be either of brick mortar (shallow
aquifer, 3-4 m deep) or sheet pile (deep aquifer, > 4 m deep).
The top of dam is kept considerable below ground level (>1
mbgl) to allow use of upstream land for human activities (no
water logging). Such a design keeps flow of surplus water
above top of dam as well as does not let accumulation of salt
upstream of dam. Sub surface dams are also useful in
checking sea water intrusion and inland salinity ingress by
way of keeping high groundwater pressure.
(Ref: CGWB Thiruwananthpuram)
 On suggestion of CGWB Thiruvananthapuram two filter point wells were bored in this area and
sandy-silty zone of different degree of consolidation was found till the depth of 10 mbgl. At this depth
brackish water was found. As the point of bore is approx 300 m inside the coast; brackish water will be
found at considerably lesser depths as we move towards the sea. To find the exact position of subsurface
dam additional study of the area is required by way of more number of bore holes and detailed resistivity
surveys (VES) to know the bedrock configuration, fractures and joints. As water is stored in voids of the
soil through such dams; approximately 10% - 30% based on degree of consolidation and particle size of
soil, detailed soil survey is necessary.

Picture 4: Fluidity and Soil Zone in Watershed VII Picture 1: Seepage loss in Watershed I

(a) Water level on 15th Dec 2013 (b) Water level on 19th Jan 2014 (c) Water level on 25th Jan 2014 (no
rainfall)

On observation of water level during different point of time post monsoon in this area and its soil zoning
it can be inferred that the water holding capacity of this area will be on higher side. Moreover the top of
dam should be at least 1.50 mbgl.

5. THE WATER UTILIZATION PLAN: Currently water is received from KWA in a sump and then
pumped to different sump on hills. Water is supplied to different Watersheds under gravity from these
sumps. In the proposed scheme water supply can be decentralized. Water harvested in different
watersheds can be collected, treated and pumped to sumps on hill through an independent system of
sump, treatment plant and pump house. For this a new network of pipeline need to be laid out along with
construction of intake sump from wells/reservoir, plants and sump on hills. Different areas will receive
water from own watershed and surplus and shortage can be equalized among different Watersheds.
However all the water extraction points like, dug wells, filter point well and direct pumping from water
body need to be interconnected in each of the Watersheds for pumping to primary sumps.

6. CONCLUSION: India is going to be a water scarce country by 2025. The sustainable goals of UN
include supply of potable water. In such a world INA being premier training institute for Naval as well as
Coast Guard Officers cant afford to be a symbol of unsustainable use of natural resources. INA has
already seen the havoc rainfall shortage can create and thus cant afford to ill train its cadets due to water
shortage and let the free but precious gift from nature go unutilized. Moreover the water being supplied
by KWA can thus be utilized by civilian population of Kerala. However prior to embarking upon this path
a detailed scientific study of Ezhimala with respect to rain water harvesting need to be taken up and based
on it a rain water harvesting plan be made. The author is confident financial and environmental
evaluation of this proposal with respect to ready to install RO schemes will be in its favour.
INA can be role model in sustainable development of recourses as well as can create goodwill
among its own countrymen.

7. REFERENCES: (i) CGWB Thiruvananthapuram

(ii) Old Records of INA Ezhimala
(iii) Web