SEKISUI’s Cross–Wave Underground Rainwater Storage System
Interacting with NBM&CW, Mr. Oonishi informed that they have already set up two units at Jaipur and talks are in advanced stage with government also to put up similar units.
Cross-Wave
“Cross-Wave” is a water holding material for rainfall accumulation installed within underground reservoirs. Certified by ARSIT, it is Japan’s new technology product.
Underground water space created by Cross-Wave effectively controls flood of river and drainage caused by heavy rain. At the same time it also provides a system through which stored rain water can be used according to necessity. The reserved water can be used for all purposes such as daily life usage, industrial usage or at the time of emergency.
Explaining the technical attributes of the material, Mr. Oonishi said Cross-Wave system is a light-weight, easy to transport and simple to install system. It can be used for a variety of civil engineering purpose as light weight fill material or temporary construction material. Since no concreting work is involved, it’s speedy in installation. (1000m3 could be installed in 2 weeks).
Installation Process
Installation process simply involves digging, spreading the protecting sheet, laying the lining sheets, piling up Cross–Wave, setting spacer and finally covering up with lining sheet & protection sheet.
Due to high void ratio of 95 % large amount of space could be utilized. It can easily take 25 ton truck load as well as 45 ton fire tender could easily move over it. The finished surface can be used as parking lot, gardens etc in residential complexes, hospitals, offices etc. The entire operation is time saving as installation can be done manually. No big tools are required. Compared to Concrete tanks, in case of Cross wave no curing time is required, which again saves lot of time.
Above all, the system is environment–friendly. There is no pollution caused in the process. The material used is polypropylene, which has excellent physical & chemical properties and no pollution is caused to the water stored. The system is easy to maintain, has long life time (50 years) and recyclable too.
Application Areas
The important application areas are flood control, rain harvesting, water conservation for life, industry and irrigation, fire fighting and any natural disaster. Cross-Wave can be used from less than 100m3 to more than 10,000m3 and can be stored for emergency water supply. Water stored can be used for fountains on small stream to develop hydrologic cycle that can further add to the quality of life. Over 2000 units are successfully operating in Japan for past 10 years.
Since the Indian economy is growing fast with focus on infrastructure development and green buildings; rain harvesting system, flood control measure and controlling overflow in redeveloping areas, Sekisui Cross-Wave system could be very useful, said Mr. Oonishi. As per his assessment based on discussions with experts, he is very optimistic about the Indian market for such systems. Company’s Indian operation has already chalked out an impressive marketing program for the promotion and marketing of Cross-Wave system. Aiming at pan India presence, it has divided the country into four regions, namely; North, East , West and South, focusing on each region’s specific requirement, keeping in mind the depleting water table in some region and heavy rain fall in other region and suggesting suitable system as per its requirement.
NBMCW November 2010
