A sustainable innovation developed by Coimbatore entrepreneur RR Sivaram is helping cities tackle both urban flooding and water scarcity.
His solution, Eco Bloc, is a recycled-plastic drainage system that captures and stores rainwater instead of allowing it to flow away through conventional stormwater drains.
The idea was inspired by the Chennai floods of 2015 and the severe drought that followed in 2019. Witnessing the city’s shift from extreme flooding to water shortages motivated Sivaram to develop a drainage system that could conserve rainwater while reducing flood risks.
Unlike traditional concrete drains, Eco Bloc is made from recycled plastic and features built-in rainwater harvesting structures placed every 15 m. Its honeycomb design enables the system to capture up to 96% of rainwater.
The harvested water passes through a 4-stage filtration process that removes silt and debris before being stored in underground tanks located beneath roads and parks.
Designed for urban infrastructure, the modular underground tanks can withstand loads of up to 60 tonnes, have a lifespan of more than 50 years, and can be reused, recycled, or relocated when required.
In addition to conserving water, Eco Bloc offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional stormwater drainage systems. According to the company, the solution is 15% to 20% more affordable while helping cities reduce flooding.
The system demonstrated its impact with its first installation in Chennai in 2020, where it helped restore a temple tank that had remained dry for 12 years within just 1 year.
Today, Eco Bloc has been installed at more than 5,000 locations across India and has helped harvest over 50 million litres of rainwater, highlighting the growing role of sustainable infrastructure in addressing urban water challenges.
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