Water Conservation Projects in India

Water conservation projects and methods adopted in India

Water scarcity is one of the serious concerns for countries across the world. In 2019, Chennai made international headlines when the civic bodies declared ‘Day Zero’, as the city ran out of water and all the reservoirs dried up. A report by NITI Aayog, a government think-tank, said that if methods for water conservation in India were not adopted, another 20 cities including Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad, would run out of groundwater in the next few years. The only solution to avoid this grim situation, is to adopt universal methods of water conservation, which could be replicated across households. Here is a detailed guide, for you to understand water conservation and what can you do at an individual level.

Water conservation projects and initiatives in India

The Ministry of Jal Shakti under the Indian government launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in 2019. It is a nation-wide water conservation campaign that aims at encouraging citizen participation to promote water conservation at the grassroot level. The project on water conservation was launched in two phases from July 1st 2019 to September 30th 2019 and from October 1st 2019 to November 30th 2019.

On the World Water Day, March 22nd 2021, the government launched the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ (JSA:CTR) with the theme ‘Catch the rain, Where it Falls When it Falls’. It covers rural and urban areas of all districts in India, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon period, up to 30th November 2021.

Under the campaign, the government focuses on creation/ maintenance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures, renovation of various traditional water bodies tanks, reuse and recharge of bore wells, watershed development and intensive afforestation.

Jal Sanchay

The Jal Sanchay project was a water conservation initiative that was started in Nalanda district of Bihar. The water conservation project focused on constructing check dams, and desilting and renovating the irrigation system and traditional water bodies. It also involved increasing awareness about traditional water conservation and rainwater harvesting techniques aimed at maintaining the water table levels. The project also carried out with the support from local farmers and through campaigns.

In 2017, the project was selected for a national award for excellence under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGP).

Water conservation methods: Simple tips to save water at home

Ways to conserve water in kitchen

Do not use running water for cleaning food items

Avoid using running water for cleaning vegetables. Instead, soak the vegetables in a bowl of water for some time and wash it later. Do not defrost frozen foods with running water. You can keep frozen things outside overnight, for defrosting them.

Use a washing-up bowl

Install a washing-up bowl in the kitchen sink for less consumption of water.

Switch to water-efficient appliances at home and office

When buying a dishwasher, select one with a ‘light-wash’ option. Use electric dishwasher only for full loads and shorter cycle.

Recycle wastewater

Reuse the wastewater from RO water purifiers for washing cars or watering your plants. You can also use this water for mopping or pre-rinse laundry. Do not drain the leftover water in water bottles. It can be used for watering plants or filling up water bowls for birds.

Turn off the water when cleaning the dishes

If you have to wash a few vessels by hand, turn off the water while you are not rinsing.

Close utensils when cooking meals

Cover the utensils and saucepans with lids. This will help minimise the consumption of water lost evaporated by heat while cooking. Fill the kettle or vessel with the amount of water required.

Ways to conserve water in bathroom

Take shorter showers

About 20 to 40 gallons of water is spent during a four-minute shower. Take shorter showers. A partly filled tub consume lesser water. You can also install water-saving showerheads and shower timers.

Turn off the tap when not in use

Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave. You can fill a glass of water before brushing and use the water to rinse your mouth. Apply short bursts of water for cleaning the razors while shaving.

Check for leaks in the toilet

Turn off the taps tightly after use. Water dripping from taps can cause wastage of up to 50 gallons of water or more in a day. Immediately repair any tap leakages.

Frequently check for leakages in the toilet flushing systems. This could be simply done by placing dye tablets or adding drops of food colouring into the tank and if colour appears in the bowl one hour later, your toilet is leaking.

Avoid using toilets as ashtray or wastebasket

Flushing a cigarette butt or tissue in the toilet results in the loss of five to seven gallons of water. Do not use the toilet to dispose of cigarette butt, tissues, etc.

Place a plastic bottle in the toilet tank

Keep an inch or two of sand or pebbles at the bottom of one litre bottle to weigh it down. You can place two bottles in bigger tanks. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank, away from the operating mechanism. Typically, it may save five gallons of water or more daily.

Use optimum quantity of water for each laundry

Usually, 15 to 40 percent of water use in households comes from laundry. One can conserve water by adjusting the settings on the laundry machine to the proper load size to ensure the use of right amount of water.

Go for low-flush toilets

Install low-flush toilets that can minimise water consumption by up to 50%.

Go for automatic washing machine only for full loads

An automatic washer may consume up to 35 gallons per cycle.

Install water-efficient bathroom fittings

Install water-efficient showers and taps, to reduce water usage. Water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors can reduce shower flow up from up to five to ten gallons per minute to around three gallons per minute.

Install dual flush toilet systems in the house, which have two mechanisms to flush different amounts of water.

Rectify leaks in pipes, hoses faucets, or couplings

One may ignore water leakages outside the house, but they can result in the loss of a huge amount of water compared to water leaks inside the house, especially if the leaks happen on the main water line. Thus, it is important to identify such leaks and rectify them.

Ways to conserve water in garden and outdoors

Grow plants that consume less water

Choose to grow drought-resistant plants and trees in your home garden, which requires less water.

Deep-soak the lawn

An effective way to water your lawn is to let the water stay long enough and seep down to the roots. However, do not turn on and leave the sprinklers for the entire day. A light sprinkling may cause water to stay on the surface and evaporate, thus leading to wastage.

Make sure you do not over-water the soil as it cannot hold extra water. Avoid watering the lawns for a short duration every day. Instead you can do so every three to five days. Gardens or lawns need only 5 millimetres of water in a day during warm weather.

Save water while washing the car

Use a hose only to rinse off the soapy water or use a bucket of water instead of a continuous water flow.

Ask children not to play with the hose and sprinklers

Kids usually prefer playing in the garden under a hose or sprinkler during hot summers. However, it may lead to wastage of water.

Swimming pool covers

Use swimming pool covers, which will help minimise evaporation. This will also have warm pool water to cut down costs of water, energy and chemicals.

Methods of water conservation

Water conservation projects can be done anywhere and in any kind of structure. Here are different water conservation methods where major savings can be done, without much hassles:

Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a very effective method of conserving natural water and replenishing the groundwater level. In this method of conservation of water, the rain water is collected and allowed to percolate into a deep pit or a reservoir, so that it seeps down and improves the ground water table.

Farmers can contribute to the water management efforts using the drip irrigation method where plants are watered with the help of narrow tubes. This water is delivered directly at the base of the plant, thus conserving water.

How to harvest rainwater?

Under a rainwater harvesting project, artificially designed systems are deployed for the collection and storage of rainwater, as explained below:

• Catchment for collecting and storing rainwater
• A conveyance system for transporting the harvested rainwater to the recharge zone.
• Flushing out the first spell of rain
• Filtering the stored water to remove pollutants
• Tanks and recharge structures for storing filtered water

See also: Why water harvesting is the best way to end water shortages

Water metering

Another efficient way of cutting down water wastage is to install water meters and measure the amount of water that is being used in residential and commercial buildings. The volume of water that is used, is calculated and charged according to the price of water. Always monitor the water bills for unusually high usage. It can help detect any leakage.

Grey water recycling

Greywater recycling is a method of saving used and waste water from kitchen sinks, washing machines and showers, which is then recycled for usage in toilets, for watering plants, etc. Unlike rainwater harvesting which relies on rainwater, greywater is surplus in volume. Environmentalists have demonstrated that the usage of this recycling system has reduced almost 70% of domestic water usage.

Pressure reducing valves

A pressure reducing valve basically controls the amount of pressure in a hydraulic system. These valves ensure a pre-set level of water that is to be used. In this way, downstream components used in the water system last longer and water consumption is also reduced. This is a very efficient solution for water conservation in industrial, residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

Water efficient bathroom accessories

Currently, the market is flooded with water-efficient toilet tanks, taps and shower heads that can cut water consumption by up to 60%. Innovations, such as change in spray patterns in taps and showers and increased pressure for flushing in toilets, are pushing the boundaries of water conservation, without compromising on usage habits.

Water-saving technology for commercial spaces

There are many water-saving devices, which can be installed in commercial buildings. Some of the popular systems include:

• Waterless car washes
• Pressurised waterbrooms instead of a hose for cleaning sidewalks.
• X-ray film processor re-circulation systems
• Cooling tower conductivity controller
• Waterless urinals in bathrooms
• Advanced faucets like infrared or foot-operated taps. These devices help conserve water by using short bursts of water for rinsing in a kitchen or bathroom.
• Steam sterilisers, which are machines used for sterilisation process in hospitals and health care facilities
• Water to water heat exchangers

Different traditional methods of water conservation in India

Rapid urbanisation and water pollution have been severely impacting the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater in several parts of India. The country’s agricultural system is still largely dependent on rainfall. Given the changing rainfall patterns, the government has been considering the revival of traditional water conservation methods.

Some of them are listed below:

Talab or Bandhi

Talabs or pond are reservoirs to store water for drinking and household consumption. These ponds may be natural or manmade. A reservoir spread over less than five bighas is known as talab whereas a medium-sized lake is known as a bandhi.

Jhalaras

Jhalaras were constructed for regular water supply for community use, religious rites, and royal ceremonies in the past. These are rectangular-shaped stepwells with tiered steps on three or four sides. The subterranean water seepage from a lake or an upstream reservoir gets collected in these stepwells.

Baoli

Baolis were constructed by the ruling class for strategic, civic, or philanthropic purposes. These structures were open to people of all sections of the society. Baolis are stepwells that were beautifully designed with arches and motifs. The place where these baolis were located mainly determined their purposes. For instance, baolis on trade routes were used as resting spots while those located inside villages were for used for utilitarian purposes and social gatherings.

Kund

Kunds were built for the conservation of water and harvesting rainwater for drinking purposes, mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is basically a catchment area shaped like a saucer, sloping towards the circular underground well at the centre. Modern kunds are built with cement. In earlier days, they were covered in disinfectant lime and ash.

Bawari

An example of traditional water conservation methods in India, Bawaris are stepwells that formed the earliest water storage networks in Rajasthan. They were uniquely designed to divert the minimum rainfall the region would receive to artificial tanks via canals constructed on hilly terrain in the city outskirts.

Taanka

Taanka is among the traditional types of water conservation systems involving rainwater harvesting technique specific to the Thar desert region in Rajasthan. Taanka is a cylindrical paved underground pit, where rainwater flows from courtyards, rooftops and  artificially prepared catchments.

Nadi

Nadis refer to village ponds where rainwater collects from neighbouring natural catchment areas. As these water bodies get water supply from irregular, torrential rainfall, they would witness quick siltation due to large amounts of sandy sediments deposited regularly.

Bamboo drip irrigation system

Among the different methods of water conservation in India, the system of bamboo drip irrigation has been practiced in northeastern parts of the country. It is an over 200-year-old technique developed by tribal farmers for irrigating terrace fields. In this system, water from perennial springs is transported using bamboo pipes.

Zings

Zings are water harvesting structures found in Ladakh. These are small tanks built to collect the melting glacier water. This one of the easiest water conservation and management methods in such mountainous regions. Water from the glacier is diverted to the tank through a network of guiding channels.

Kuhls

Tapping glacial waters coming from rivers and streams through surface water channels has been one of the oldest ways of water conservation in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh. These channels are known as Kuhls widely used for irrigation of over 30,000 hectares of fields in the region. There are hundreds of Kuhls in the region.

Jackwells

This is one of the oldest water conservation practices in India. Jackwells are small pits used for harvesting rainwater. In earlier times, people in the low-lying regions of the Great Nicobar Islands constructed the structure using bamboo and logs of wood.

Water harvesting structures of Ramtek

One of the traditional save water projects and techniques is the Ramtek model in Maharashtra. The system uses a network of groundwater and surface water bodies where tanks connected by underground and surface canals form a link, from the foothills to the plains. Once water fills the tanks in the hills, it flows to the successive tanks.

Water conservation in other parts of India

Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh has a network of well-connected water drainage and storage systems. Every fort in the region houses well-organised storage systems for conserving water. These forts served as a space for providing supplies during wars and movement outside were restricted. Thus, these structures helped in storage of water.

Dholavira in Gujarat is an historical site of the Indus Valley civilization. There are several lake-shaped storage reservoirs built to store surface water during the rainy months.

What is water conservation?

Simply put, water conservation is the technique of efficiently utilising water and cutting down its wastage or unnecessary usage. Since fresh, clean water is now considered a limited resource, water conservation has become important and imperative.

See also: All about penthouse

Water conservation: Why is it important?

An average utilises about 140 litres of water per day. Lack of water on a large scale can lead to serious water scarcity issues. Water conservation is important for several reasons:

1. Water distribution is uneven and therefore, large parts of India remain deficient in rain, as well as groundwater.
2. This unequal distribution across the country, makes most of the population face water scarcity.
3. The requirement of water in urban areas is higher than the availability. Moreover, water conservation will ensure availability of clean for future generations. This can be done by ensuring that the consumption of freshwater from an ecosystem does not exceed its natural rate of renewal.
4. Since rainfall in India is highly seasonal, water is required to irrigate crops. Water protects the ecosystem and wildlife.
5. Moreover, conserving water also saves energy. That is, by using smart appliances which are water and energy-efficient, we can reduce water usage and save energy too. Energy is essential to filter, heat and pump water in households. Minimising water use can lead to reduction in carbon footprint.
6. Water conservation also saves finances. Installing a water meter at home will enable use of less water, and lead to lesser charges levied by the water supply company.
7. Lesser consumption of water will maintain more water in the environments and help sustain the wetland habitats for plants, wildlife and aquatic life. It is especially important during dry seasons.
8. The extraction of freshwater from the icebergs has increased significantly in recent years. The demand for water has also gone up to a great extent, including the need for power supply water-based power generation.

Water conservation: A solution for water related problems

Several countries have been dealing with severe water shortages, mainly caused due to overpopulation. The depleting water tables, which is also caused by deforestation, has become a serious concern.

Global warming also has an impact by creating water shortages at some places and increasing the existing crisis at other places.

Compared to the developing countries, the more developed countries are able to tackle the problem and conserve water through various methods like recycling wastewater, desalinating seawater, building dams, importing food, utilising deep water aquifers, etc. Aforestation can aid water in penetrating the soil and replenish the water table.

Water conservation, mainly by reusing and recycling water, may be an effective solution to the problem. Nearly one fifth of a city’s water needs can be fulfilled through such methods. Many countries, including India, are reviving traditional water conservation practices.

Water conservation: Interesting facts

Water is a natural resource that is vital for the existence of life on earth. However, misuse and wastage of water have resulted in a water crisis affecting several parts of the world.

• Rainfall accounts for nearly 85% of water available in India. The remaining 15% comes from melting snow.
• The Indian government launched the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for the Ganges river basin as part of a major water rejuvenation plan.
• India’s water requirement is 1100 billion cubic meters per year.
• The agricultural industry accounts for 80% of the overall water consumption in the country.
• Water shortage also leads to income loss as many women spend about 150 million workdays per year carrying and fetching water.
• Nearly ten crore people use water having excessive fluoride levels.
• The population across the world has increased to over 6 billion people from 1900s. Hence, the consumption of water has also grown to 600%. Consequently, inadequate access to clean water has impacted the health of people.

Here are some facts on water you should know:

• There is a limited amount of water on earth. Based on the water cycle, the water that is available right now is repeatedly recycled.
• Nearly 97% of all water present on earth is salt water that is not suitable for drinking. About three percent of water is freshwater out of which only 0.5% is suited for drinking and the remaining is found in glaciers, atmosphere, soil, etc. that cannot be consumed.
• Plants are crucial for maintaining the ecosystem and require water for survival.
• The average human body of an adult contains 50 to 65 percent of water, while the percentage is higher in infants.
• Industries utilise large amounts of water as raw material for various purposes, including cleaning, heating, cooling, and generating electricity. Moreover, besides everyday activities like drinking, bathing, washing, etc., water is required for irrigation, dispersal of seeds and fruits, transport, and recreation.
• Since water has fluidity and solubility properties, it helps digestion, blood circulation in the body, and excretion. It helps regulate the body temperature through sweating.

Sources of water

About 97% of the water on earth is found in oceans and seas, and the remaining 3% comes from other water bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. Besides, some amount of water is also present in the air.

NGOs working on water conservation in India

The government in India has taken several steps and projects to save water and implemented water conservation projects. In addition, nonprofit institutions are making significant contributions to water conservation in India. Some NGOs that have been promoting sustainable water conservation practices are mentioned below:

Tarun Bharat Sangh

Tarun Bharat Sangh is a non-profitable environmental NGO that aims to achieve water conservation objectives by involving the community at every stage of development work and adopting indigenous water harvesting methods. The NGO has revived ten rivers and transformed drought-prone areas spanning 10,000 sq km in Rajasthan, which is among the most water-deficient states in India.

SARA (Sustainable Alternatives for Rural Accord)

The organisation has led the ‘Swagrama’ programme and worked on the ground at various levels to understand and implement sustainable models. This project on water conservation is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s dream project, ‘Village Swaraj’, and aims to achieve self-sustainable rural development.

Environmentalist Foundation of India

It is an environmental conservation group that focuses on wildlife conservation and restoration of freshwater habitats like lakes and ponds through scientific means. Some water conservation projects undertaken by the organisation include the restoration of the Kinhi-Gadegaon Reservoir in Maharashtra, Tirunelveli-Keezh Ambur Lake in Tamil Nadu and Navule Kere in Shivamogga, Karnataka.

Jal Bhagirathi Foundation

The NGO is leading efforts to tackle water scarcity in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, which among the most densely populated arid zones in the world. The NGO focuses on reviving and constructing rainwater harvesting structures to recharge groundwater. It is also supporting communities in building rainwater harvesting tanks or tankas.

Dreams Alive

The NGO has been supporting farmers across the delta region of Tamil Nadu by restoring ponds that are the primary water resource for households, irrigation, cattle, wild animals, etc. It is also focusing on improving the livelihood of farmers, by increasing ground-water levels and addressing water shortage.

Source :- Water Conservation Projects & Methods: Tips to Conserve Water at Home (housing.com)