Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham exemplifies a holistic approach to sustainable water management through the collective efforts of its management, staff, students, researchers, and outreach programs. Aligned UN SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Amrita integrates water consciousness into every facet of its operations. From adopting innovative campus policies and eco-friendly infrastructure to fostering community-driven outreach initiatives, Amrita leads by example in promoting responsible water usage and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Smart Water Management Systems
Implementing IoT-based sensors to monitor water usage in real-time and identify leaks or inefficiencies in the system, ensuring better control and optimization of water resources.
Smart Water Monitoring: Advanced IoT-based water monitoring systems track usage and identify leaks promptly, preventing wastage and ensuring optimized water distribution. Sensor based taps are installed to prevent water leakage.
In the past three years, over 250 aerated taps (3 Lpm) have been installed in the mess halls and canteens to reduce water consumption, as students typically use large amounts of water in these areas. Additionally, sensor-based taps are planned for installation in the academic year 2025-26.
To reduce water consumption associated with plate washing, plate washing machines were introduced over the past three years, leading to significant water savings.
The floors of large buildings are cleaned using power washing techniques to optimize efficiency and minimize water consumption.
Water-Saving Dual-Flush Systems Installed To reduce water usage by 60%, all flush systems on campus have been retrofitted with dual-flush buttons. The green button uses just 3 liters per flush for light waste, while the red button discharges 6 liters for heavier waste. This initiative promotes sustainable water management and enhances eco-friendly infrastructure practices.
Platewashing Faculty and students are encouraged to practice judicious water usage through awareness programs and volunteering initiatives. The university community is educated on efficient techniques for minimizing water consumption, particularly during activities such as plate washing.
Awareness and Education
Amrita actively fosters a culture of water consciousness among its students, staff, and the surrounding communities.
Courses and workshops on water sustainability and environmental science educate students about water conservation and sustainable practices. The E4Life PhD Program on Sustainable Development spans 14 thematic areas, emphasizing interconnections among water sustainability, environment, agriculture, and climate change. Show all 14 thematic areas with SDG icons
Posters promoting the judicious use of water are displayed across across campuses
Research and Innovation: The university has been focussing on water-related research, such as the development of low-cost filtration systems, water quality monitoring tools, and sustainable irrigation techniques.
Sustainable Landscaping Practices
Across 9 campuses of Amrita, indigenous plants are used extensivly that are well-adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecosystem and reduces the need for excessive watering, fertilizers, and pesticides. Techniques like drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, to conserve water resources are implemented. Soil fertility and structure is enhanced through organic composting, and reducing soil compaction to promote healthy plant growth naturally. Recycling organic waste, such as grass clippings and leaves, into compost instead of sending them to landfills is also done extensively. Furthermore, habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife are created by including a mix of plants and preserving natural areas.
Gardens and landscaped areas are watered using sprinklers and drip irrigation systems to minimize water consumption and promote efficient water use. Motion sensors are placed to regulate the irrigation on a timely basis.
Promoting Plantation of Native Varieties of Plants – Students with Saplings
Water Conservation Infrastructure
Amrita’s campuses have implemented state-of-the-art water conservation systems, ensuring efficient utilization and minimal wastage.
Rainwater Harvesting: Extensive rainwater harvesting systems across all campuses collect and store rainwater, which is used for irrigation and non-potable purposes.
Water Recycling: Sewage treatment plants (STPs) recycle wastewater, ensuring it is reused for gardening, cooling systems, and flushing, significantly reducing freshwater dependency.
Distinguished Talks on Water Water Sustainability
Amrita School for Sustainable Futures held a Sustainable Development Research Series by the PhD scholars presenting their research on innovative approaches and solutions in the area of water sustainability.
Expert Talk: Promoting Conscious Water Usage on Campus Inspired by Coral Restoration Efforts
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, organized an Online Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Emma Camp, a Senior Lecturer at UTS and Co-Founder of the Coral Nurture Program, on “The Site Stewardship for Effective Coral Restoration: A Case Study from the Great Barrier Reef” scheduled for August 18th, 2023, at 11 a.m. IST. Dr. Emma Camp’s work in coral restoration highlights sustainable practices that prioritize environmental stewardship and resource management.
Inspired by the principles of conservation and responsible resource use in Dr. Camp’s research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is committed to promoting conscious water usage on campus. This initiative involves educating students and staff on sustainable water practices, providing dedicated pipelines for recycled water, and incorporating awareness campaigns on water conservation across campus events. Amrita’s goal is to foster an environment where every member of the campus community understands and contributes to sustainable water management practices, mirroring the stewardship Dr. Camp advocates for marine ecosystems.
This lecture not only strengthens Amrita’s environmental education efforts but also reinforces its mission to encourage sustainable resource usage and responsible stewardship among its students and faculty.
This has been achieved through implementation of infrastructure for water conservation, water recycling,
Promoting Conscious Water Usage on Campus Inspired by Coral Restoration Efforts
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, is organizing an Online Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Emma Camp, a Senior Lecturer at UTS and Co-Founder of the Coral Nurture Program, on “The Site Stewardship for Effective Coral Restoration: A Case Study from the Great Barrier Reef” scheduled for August 18th, 2023, at 11 a.m. IST. Dr. Camp’s work in coral restoration highlights sustainable practices that prioritize environmental stewardship and resource management.
Inspired by the principles of conservation and responsible resource use in Dr. Camp’s research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is committed to promoting conscious water usage on campus. This initiative involves educating students and staff on sustainable water practices, providing dedicated pipelines for recycled water, and incorporating awareness campaigns on water conservation across campus events. Amrita’s goal is to foster an environment where every member of the campus community understands and contributes to sustainable water management practices, mirroring the stewardship Dr. Camp advocates for marine ecosystems.
This lecture not only strengthens Amrita’s environmental education efforts but also reinforces its mission to encourage sustainable resource usage and responsible stewardship among its students and faculty.
Pioneering Water Sustainability through Innovation and Impact
Amrita’s initiatives have led to a measurable reduction in water consumption across its campuses, a significant increase in the reuse of wastewater, and greater awareness of water sustainability among its stakeholders. These efforts also contribute to the institution’s ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, reflecting its commitment to SDG 6.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham continues to innovate in the domain of water management, with plans to expand water conservation infrastructure, enhance community programs, and invest in cutting-edge research for sustainable water solutions.
By integrating conscious water usage into its operations and educational practices, Amrita exemplifies a holistic approach to achieving water sustainability, setting a benchmark for other institutions worldwide.
List of Publications in the Area of Water
Ajith, V., Reshma, A. S., Mohan, R., & Ramesh, M. V. (2022). Empowering communities in addressing drinking water challenges using a systematic, participatory and adaptive approach and sustainable PPP model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 185, 121970.
Reddy, D. T., Shamini, S., Ganesan, V., Radhakrishnan, A., & Ajith, V. (2022). Intervention for improvement of water quality in a rural village in Rajasthan. In Smart Trends in Computing and Communications: Proceedings of SmartCom 2021 (pp. 323-332). Springer Singapore.
Yamuna, K., Gupta, K., Prabhu, S. D., Navaneeth Krishna, S., Jyothi, S., Narayanan, J., & Sani, S. (2022). Addressing impure water quality and associated challenges faced by a rural community in West Bengal through sustainable technologies. In Smart Trends in Computing and Communications: Proceedings of SmartCom 2021 (pp. 333-343). Springer Singapore.
Angom, J., & Viswanathan, P. K. (2022). Contribution of National Rural Employment Guarantee Program on rejuvenation and restoration of community forests in India. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 5, 91.
Ramesh, M. V., Muir, A., Nandanan, K., Bhavani, R. R., & Mohan, R. (2022). HCI curricula for sustainable innovation: The humanitarian focus at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Interactions, 29(1), 54-57.
Abhinaya, P. B., Adarsh, T., Vanga, P., Sivanesh, S., Vishnuvardhan, Y., Radhika, N., & Reshma, A. S. (2022). Case study on water management through sustainable smart irrigation. In IoT with Smart Systems: Proceedings of ICTIS 2021, Volume 2 (pp. 569-578). Springer Singapore.
Prajwal, K. S., Shivanath Nikhil, B., Reddy, P. R., Karthik, G., Sai Kiran, P., Vignesh, V., & Reshma, A. S. (2022). The assessment of challenges and sustainable methods of improving the quality of water and sanitation at Deurbal, Chhattisgarh. In IoT with Smart Systems: Proceedings of ICTIS 2022, Volume 2 (pp. 721-730). Springer Nature Singapore.
Harini, S., Varshini, P., Muthukumaaran, S. K., Chebolu, S., Aarthi, R., Saravanan, R., & Reshma, A. S. (2022). In-situ measurement in water quality status—Udalka Uttarakhand, India. In IoT with Smart Systems: Proceedings of ICTIS 2022, Volume 2 (pp. 689-696). Springer Nature Singapore.
Barati, M. K., Manivasagam, V. S., Nikoo, M. R., Saravanane, P., Narayanan, A., & Manalil, S. (2022). Rainfall variability and rice sustainability: An evaluation study of two distinct rice-growing ecosystems. Land, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081242
Kanyagui, M. K., & Viswanathan, P. K. (2022). Water and sanitation services in India and Ghana: An assessment of implications for rural health and related SDGs. Water Policy, 24(6), 1073-1094.
Bisheko, M. J., & Rejikumar, G. (2023, March). A study on farmers’ perceptions about the scope of the Kisan Suvidha App in improving agricultural sustainability. In 2023 Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society (ICTAS) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
Ajith, V., Fishman, R., Yosef, E., Edris, S., Ramesh, R., Suresh, R. A., … & Mamane, H. (2023). An integrated methodology for assessment of drinking-water quality in low-income settings. Environmental Development, 100862.
Barati, M. K., Manivasagam, V. S., Soundharajan, B., & Manalil, S. (2023). Rice cultivation and water sustainability in Peninsular India: Examining the challenges of climate change through extreme rainfall events with the Markov chain approach. In Modeling and Mitigation Measures for Managing Extreme Hydrometeorological Events Under a Warming Climate (Vol. 14). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-18640-0.00002-X
Hasan, N., Pushpalatha, R., Manivasagam, V. S., Arlikatti, S., & Cibin, R. (2023). Global sustainable water management: A systematic qualitative review. Water Resources Management.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-023-03604-y
Marowa, D., & Manoj, P. (2023). Forest policies pertaining to the formation of protected areas: A case study of Nagarhole National Park and eviction of the tribal people. Journal of Namibian Studies, 34(2023), 6249–6275.
Douglas, M., Manoj Pokkiyarath, & Pozhamkandath Karthiayani Viswanathan. (2023). The nexus between sustainable agriculture practices, food security, and climate change in India: A review. Migration Letters, 20(S1), 181–202.
Matovu, B., Brouwer, F., Bleischwitz, R., Firas, A., & Meltem, A. Y. (2023). Resource nexus perspectives in the Blue Economy of India: The case of sand mining in Kerala. Environmental Science & Policy, 151, 1-15.
Angom, J., & Viswanathan, P. K. (2023). Climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies in India and South Africa: Implications for climate change adaptation and sustainable livelihoods. In The Palgrave Handbook of Socio-ecological Resilience in the Face of Climate Change (pp. 161-195). Springer Nature Singapore.
Angom, J., & Viswanathan, P. K. (2023). Irrigation technology interventions as potential options to improve water security in India and Africa: A comparative review. 15(23), 16213.
Bisheko, M. J., Rejikumar, G., Damilola Ibirogba, & Steven Kikonyogo. (2023). Traditional grain storage methods: An exploration of their contribution to the sustainability of Indian agriculture. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(2). DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2023.2276559
Dandadzi, P., & Kothurkar, N. K. (2023). Assessing the sustainability of biosand filters: Unveiling interlinkages and leveraging factors for effective implementation. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 20(100311).
Twist, R., von Lieres, J. S., Rao, B. R., & Koshy, A. J. (2023). Vetiver grass technology: A new perspective for river restoration and women’s empowerment in river communities of rural India. In IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 2023 (pp. 188-192). Radnor, PA, USA. DOI: 10.1109/GHTC56179.2023.10354932
Abhiroop Das, R. Aarthi, S. Vijay, M. Kailash, K. S. Gogul Nithish, R. Saravanan, & Souresh Cornet (2023). Performance enhancement of photovoltaic systems for rural electrification in higher altitude regions: A case study in Uttarakhand, India. In ICT Analysis and Applications, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (Vol. 517). Springer, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-5224-1_38
P. B. Abhinaya, T. Adarsh, Prasanthi Vanga, S. Sivanesh, Yisanaka Vishnuvardhan, N. Radhika, & A. S. Reshma (2022). Case study on water management through sustainable smart irrigation. In IoT with Smart Systems, Smart Innovation, Systems, and Technologies (Vol. 251). Springer, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-3945-6_56
K. S. Prajwal, B. Shivanath Nikhil, Pakhala Rohit Reddy, G. Karthik, P. Sai Kiran, V. Vignesh, & A. S. Reshma (2023). The assessment of challenges and sustainable methods of improving the quality of water and sanitation at Deurbal, Chhattisgarh. In IoT with Smart Systems, Smart Innovation, Systems, and Technologies (Vol. 312). Springer, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-3575-6_69
S. Harini, P. Varshini, S. K. Muthukumaaran, Santosh Chebolu, R. Aarthi, R. Saravanan, & A. S. Reshma (2023). In-situ measurement in water quality status—Udalka Uttarakhand, India. In IoT with Smart Systems, Smart Innovation, Systems, and Technologies (Vol. 312). Springer, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-3575-6_66
Vineeth Ajith, Reshma A. S., Renjith Mohan, & Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh (2023). Empowering communities in addressing drinking water challenges using a systematic, participatory, and adaptive approach and sustainable PPP model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 185, 121970. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121970
