At Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, sustainability is deeply embedded into our institutional practices. The university has come up with innovative strategies for water conservation and management. Inspired by our Chancellor’s call to value every drop of water, Amrita has adopted a comprehensive water extraction policy, which relies on minimizing dependence on underground freshwater sources while maximizing the use of treated and reused water. With this in mind, Amrita’s campuses are equipped with real-time monitoring systems to observe the water cycle from extraction and treatment to distribution and usage. Our efforts extend beyond campuses to support 30 local communities with 24/7 water supply and make them water-positive.
Rainwater Harvesting
It involves constructing a human-made pond to efficiently harness natural resources, addressing local water challenges while promoting an eco-friendly campus. This method collects runoff during the monsoon season and provides a source of stored water that can be used throughout the year, significantly reducing dependence on external water sources. By allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate and recharge groundwater, this method helps maintain a stable water table, supporting the local ecosystem.
Specific techniques include:
Borewells and Wells
To maintain sustainability, groundwater extraction is carefully monitored and kept to the minimum. Collectively, borewells and traditional wells provide around 35% of the total water supply. Rooftop rainwater systems are often incorporated to reduce over-extraction and to recharge these sources.
Stormwater Collection
Stormwater falling on both paved and unpaved campus areas is directed into strategically placed rain pits of various dimensions. These rain pits, covered by metal bars, channel the water deep underground, promoting direct groundwater recharge. Stormwater accounts for 10% of total water needs.
Treated and Reused Water
Advanced water treatment facilities on Amrita campuses process greywater and wastewater for reuse. Recycled water is used for non-potable purposes like landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and general campus cleaning, minimizing the draw from aquifers and natural water bodies.
Municipal and Natural Water Sources
Municipal supply and rivers contribute 25% and 30%, respectively, to the overall water needs. With an emphasis on sustainable extraction and distribution, these sources are managed to ensure minimal disruption to natural ecosystems.
This system has proven effective during intense monsoon periods, mitigating flood risks on campus while enhancing groundwater levels. It serves as a model for sustainable water management, supporting both flood control and long-term water conservation. Local communities benefit from these water systems which ensure access to clean water. Researchers and students engage in these projects, fostering a culture of sustainable environmental development.
At Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, sustainable practices are at the core of our values, and the campuses have taken pioneering steps in water conservation through a series of infrastructural developments across its premises. These measures support sustainable water management and reflect the campus’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Rainwater harvesting involves constructing a human-made pond to efficiently harness natural resources, addressing local water challenges while promoting an eco-friendly campus.
A Human-Made Pond for Rainwater Collection
The human-made pond, built to capture and store rainwater, plays a crucial role in water conservation at our campus. It collects runoff during the monsoon season and provides a source of stored water that can be used throughout the year, significantly reducing dependence on external water sources. By allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate and recharge groundwater, this pond helps maintain a stable water table, supporting the local ecosystem.
Rainwater Conservation Structures – Rainwater Harvesting
Engineering College (Plot 1)
The campus is using a phased approach in building rainwater conservation structures in several locations across campus.
Residential Area – Boys Hostel (Plot 2)
Ground Area (Plot 3)
The campus has implemented an effective rainwater harvesting system to sustainably manage and utilize rainwater, supporting groundwater recharge, gardening, and flushing.
Harvesting of Surface Runoff and Rooftop Rainwater
Recharge Pits and Aquifer Recharge
Storage Tanks
This system exemplifies the campus’s dedication to sustainable water management, showcasing how rainwater harvesting can support environmental conservation and efficient resource
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Coimbatore campus has effectively managed water usage through a comprehensive system, utilizing treated water for drinking and other essential purposes across varying needs throughout the year. The university has reported that, over the fiscal year 2023-2024, its water treatment plants demonstrated high operational efficiency, particularly during the summer months.
According to the campus records, total water usage peaked in May, reaching 411.95 lakh liters. A breakdown reveals that drinking water requirements, which are crucial in the warmer months, increased significantly, with May recording 40.14 lakh liters. This surge aligns with the operational excellence of the treatment facilities during summer, indicating a strategic approach to meet seasonal demand without compromising on resource efficiency.
Treated water volumes, another highlight, showed a consistent pattern, peaking in the warmer months. In April, for instance, the treatment plant delivered 286.42 lakh liters, while May saw an increase to 307.94 lakh liters. This reflects a robust capability of the water treatment system to not only meet but surpass regular standards, ensuring the campus maintains sustainable water practices even under increased seasonal demand.
The Coimbatore campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has established a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system to promote water sustainability and reduce groundwater extraction.
Key Aspects of the Rainwater Harvesting System
Collection from Roads and Pavements:
Rooftop Rainwater Collection:
Strategic Storage Locations:
The campus has implemented an advanced rainwater harvesting system, significantly contributing to groundwater recharge and flood prevention. This initiative is particularly impactful in addressing depleting groundwater levels and managing the adverse effects of monsoon flooding.
Rooftop Rainwater Collection
The main hospital building, with a large flow area of 17,000 sqm, channels rainwater from rooftops through downpipes to a common pipe system. This collected water is then directed to two large ponds on the campus’s island, each with a 65-lakh liter capacity, helping store substantial volumes of rainwater.
Stormwater Collection
Stormwater falling on both paved and unpaved campus areas is directed into 42 strategically placed rain pits of various dimensions. These rain pits, covered by metal bars, channel the water deep underground, promoting direct groundwater recharge.
Impact and Benefits
This system has proven effective during intense monsoon periods, mitigating flood risks on campus while enhancing groundwater levels. It serves as a model for sustainable water management, supporting both flood control and long-term water conservation.
Groundwater Recharge and Aquifer Replenishment: Using advanced rainwater harvesting techniques, rainwater is collected from rooftops, roads, and open areas and directed into recharge pits. This replenishes the local aquifers, reducing the need for excessive groundwater extraction and supporting long-term water availability on campus.
Through these initiatives, we aim to serve as a model for sustainable water extraction and conservation, ensuring that our resources support the campus community without depleting the natural environment.
To efficiently utilize the region’s rainfall, rainwater is collected from rooftops, parking lots, and open spaces, channeling it into strategically placed storage pits. This helps recharge groundwater and reduces the reliance on external water sources.
Advanced Filtration and Reuse: Captured rainwater undergoes basic filtration to remove debris, making it suitable for various campus needs. This collected water is used for landscape irrigation and other non-potable purposes, ensuring that extracted groundwater is preserved for essential uses.
Flood Prevention and Soil Erosion Control: By managing rainwater flow, the Mysore campus minimizes soil erosion and reduces flood risks, contributing to the resilience of the campus environment during heavy rainfall.
These initiatives reflect the Mysore campus’s dedication to water sustainability, aiming to balance its ecological footprint with the community’s needs.
The campus has implemented an innovative contour bunding system to harvest rainwater. This eco-friendly initiative is designed to make the best use of the campus’s natural landscape, capturing rainwater efficiently while preventing soil erosion.
Contour bunding is a rainwater harvesting method where small barriers or bunds are created along the natural contours of sloping land. These bunds slow down the flow of rainwater, allowing it to gradually percolate into the soil and recharge groundwater. By trapping water within the campus grounds, contour bunding enhances soil moisture and contributes to a healthier water table in the region.
Benefits for Our Campus and Beyond
At the Nagercoil campus, the contour bunding system not only conserves water but also protects the landscape from erosion. This sustainable approach is particularly valuable in regions with slopes or uneven terrain, helping to create a thriving, self-sustained green space. By managing rainfall more effectively, we are able to support local biodiversity, reduce our reliance on external water sources, and set a benchmark in environmental stewardship for other institutions.
Recognizing the importance of conserving water resources in our region, the Faridabad campus has integrated rainwater harvesting pits to ensure efficient water utilization.
Harnessing Rainwater for a Greener Future
Our rainwater harvesting system captures rainwater and channels it into strategically placed recharge pits across the campus. These pits serve as vital reservoirs that allow water to seep back into the ground, recharging the groundwater levels sustainably. By reducing dependency on external water sources and decreasing surface runoff, these pits help prevent erosion, manage water scarcity, and contribute to a healthy water table.
An Eco-Friendly Model for Future Generations
These initiatives reflect our commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment and showcase a sustainable water model that other institutions can replicate. Through this project, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham aims to inspire students and faculty to adopt practices that protect our planet for future generations.
