What if rainwater could be more than just a resource? Rahul Kacha from Surat, Gujarat, saw this valuable resource as a sustainable business opportunity. In 2021, he came up with a unique idea to not only save rainwater but also to turn it into drinkable bottled water.
“I had always understood the importance of rainwater from the little that I have read. At first, I wanted to process rainwater so I could drink it at home. Then, I thought there must be many people who would like access to drinkable rainwater, but don’t have the means,” he says.
During this time, Rahul was looking to enter into a business venture, and motivated by his own desire, decided to build a facility that could store and process rainwater into potable water. But the task was not easy.
His limited funds meant he needed investors. “I met a few people and I explained the concept and idea,” he says.
With their help, he managed to build two massive storage tanks, one with a two lakh litre capacity, and another with a capacity of one lakh litres, at a cost of Rs 35 lakh.
He didn’t stop there
Rahul began spreading the word about rainwater harvesting. From meeting people and attending seminars to sharing his message on social media, he worked hard to raise awareness.
Today, Rahul supplies filtered rainwater to around 150 households in Surat, offering them an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to bottled water. But Rahul’s work isn’t just about providing clean water. He’s also helping people set up their own rainwater harvesting systems, so they can enjoy the benefits of rainwater.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
