Water is elixir for life on earth. The human civilization initiated and thrived along the water courses. Out of the total water resources on Earth, only 3% is fresh, of which 1% remans in rivers, lakes and swamps, while 30% remains below the surface as ground water. The remaining 69% is locked as glacier and ice cap.

India accounts for 18% of world population but holds only 4% of global freshwater resources. Thus, India’s society economy and environment face a daunting challenge in water sector. With the increase in population, changing life style, rapid industrialization and continued pressure   to increase agriculture output, the demand of water is exponentially rising. The present annual water withdrawal is 710km³ against the available utilizable resource of 1123km³. The demand would increase to 1180km³ in year 2050. Besides the impend volumetric scarcity, expanding pollution, from both natural sources and anthropogenic causes, are severely restricting the resource. Climate change, the other impediment is causing an uncertainty in water resource availability in space and time domain.

For sustainable management of water resource, we must relook and reorient the existing practices and governess policies in India. Agriculture consumes 78% of total water withdrawal, 8% goes to industry and power, while the remaining 6% is consumed by domestic sector. Effective and judicious management calls for innovations in water sector, application of advanced technologies, capacity building and empowering of all stakeholders, encouraging innovative investment in water sector, effective reusage of water, effective management of freshwater and sanitation system etc.

Currently, around half of all urban dwellers live in cities and almost 10 percent of urban dwellers live in megacities. As cities around the world experience this exploding growth, the need to ensure they can expand sustainably, operate efficiently and maintain a high quality of life for residents, becomes even greater than it is today. This is where smart cities come into the picture. The term “smart cities” is trending amongst governments, urban planners and even the private sector to address the projected demands of cities in the future. One of the most critical factors for the growth and sustenance of a smart city is its water system. The term “smart water” points to water and wastewater infrastructure that ensures this precious resource – and the energy used to transport it – is managed effectively. It is equally impertinent that we make our Earth and Water resources burden less and persistent.

 This has prompted MRIIRS to set up the Manav Rachna Centre for Advanced Water Technology and Management with the objectives to aid in effective and sustainable management of India’s water resources through innovation, capacity building and outreach programmes.

Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management (MRCAWTM):

Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management (MRCAWTM) was established in 2017 to pursue teaching, research, consultancy and impart training programmes in hydrogeology, water resources engineering and management, water quality and collateral environment and ecology issues.

Establishment of Manav Rachna Centre for Advanced Water Technology and Management -MRCAWTM (Press Release): https://manavrachna.edu.in/press-release/press-mriu/centre-for-water-management-launched-at-manav-rachna-international-university-to-work-on-and-resolve-water-related-issues-of-faridabads-people/

Manav Rachna Centre of Excellence for Advanced Water Technology and Management https://manavrachna.edu.in/research-innovation-incubation-centre-mriic/centres-of-excellence/water-conservation-management/

The centre forms a pool of professionals and researchers from the field of hydrology, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, eco-hydrology and environment management. Besides, the Centre has also developed a skill set on community centric water resource development, socio-hydrology and watershed based sustainable management.  The Centre aims to address real challenges faced by the stakeholders and also provides a platform for science and technology-based solutions through non-invasive investigation, water quality analysis, recycling of waste water, surface and ground water flow and resource analysis, satellite databased interpretation, local and regional scale hydrostatigraphic analysis, mathematical modeling of water resources and GIS based applications

Dr NC Wadhwa, DG, MREI is providing the overall leadership to MRCAWTM. Dr Dipankar Saha was appointed as the present Chair Professor of MRCAWTM on 14^th April 2021 after demise of the first and founder Chair Professor Dr D K Chadha.  Dr Arunangshu Mukherjee is working as the Director, MRCAWTM. The Center is a team of multidisciplinary professionals providing real time solutions to challenges in water domain. MRCAWTM is having five field research units in the state of Haryana-India, one each at Barmer, Ballabhgarh, Khol-Rewari, Palwal and Panchkula where two to ten field specialists are working. MRCAWTM in its short period of journey of 5yrs, has been able to achieve significant milestones in the form of projects obtained, executed, and completed. So far 8 projects have been successfully completed between June 2018 and June 2021 of worth ~Rs2.0 Cr. Further, 11 more projects of Rs 11.31 Cr are in progress as on 31^st July 2022. MRCAWTM is working for its vision of clean water for all forever. The major area of work includes 1. R&D Studies, 2. Technical Interventions, 3. Training and Capacity Building, 4. Outreach programs, 5. Product and Innovation.

With the vision to ensure ‘Clean water for all forever’, the Centre, in its capacity has adopted the following missions, which in turn, would guide its priorities, programme and activities:

Mission-1: Education and outreach

1. Capacity building for stake holders for comprehensive and sustainable water resources management for nation building.
2. Formulation of interdisciplinary curriculum and course on water for various level and purposes.
3. Run conventional and web based short, medium and long courses.
4. Awareness creation through collaboration with Government, civil society and industries.
5. Creating popular documents for social awareness.
   
   

Mission-2: Science and Technology based Solutions

1. Establish state-of the-art laboratory dealing with various issues of water.
2. Run interdisciplinary projects in water sector.
3. Adoption and showcasing of new technologies for waste treatment, water reuse, irrigation efficiency, contamination and mitigation etc.
4. Consultancy services on water related issues.
5. To collaborate with national and international institutions/centers on fundamental research and with key industry partners on applied R&D.

Mission-3: Sustainable Management

1. Developing interdisciplinary group for research to bring sustainability in water sector.
2. Educate and empower different stake holders about assessing, monitoring and sustainable use of water.
3. Collaborate with Government departments, civil society, and industries to promote judicious management of water resource.
4. Transfer of technology from laboratory to field on water use, conservation and other aspects.
5. Networking with other organizations who share common interests and goals.
6. To promote alternative resource potential to enhance water sustainability

Mission-4: Water policy and Governance

1. Study and research on socio- economy of water resources and its societal impact.
2. Interaction with industry and Government and other stakeholders for present policy implication and gaps.
3. Promote science and technology of water domain in water policy framing.
4. Educate and aware the policy makers on immerging dynamics of ground water management.
5. Bridging gaps between existing water policy and governance framework and its social understanding

Mission-5: Enhanced Investment

1. Establishing network of academia and industry for identification of area of investment in water sector.
2. Promoting investments in water resources sector through CSR projects.
3. Analysis and assessment of market-based solutions to improve water related services.
4. Research and promote practice of water pricing and ground water marketing.

MRCAWTM, a Centre of Excellence is catering to the research and development in all spheres of water resources, assessment, monitoring, development and management and related societal and environmental issues. The Center is to incubate and disseminate best practices to conserve water and reuse waste water.

MoUs, Awards and Accreditation:

MRCAWTM, a Centre of Excellence of MRIIRS has extended its linkage with various Government, Non-Governmental, Academic institutions, and NGOs for active collaboration in the area of Water research.

Centre to facilitate  research and data dissemination  and  has made MOU with

1. GHS, New Delhi based NGO in 2018
2. CGWB, Ministry of Jal Sakti, Government of India, 2020
3. 
4. Kisan Sanchar, Chandigarh based NGO 2021 and many more

Awards and Accreditation:

• MRCAWTM is accredited by CGWA, GOI on 1^st Oct 2021 for next 5yrs.
• MRCAWTM is able to grab the Aqua Foundation Excellence Award, 2017 under the category of Institutional Excellence in Resource Management.

Aqua Foundation Excellence Award to MRCAWTM:

https://mriirs.edu.in/latest/manav-rachnas-centre-for-advanced-water-technology-management-bestowed-with-the-prestigious-aqua-excellence-award/

The Centre for Advanced Water Technology & Management at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) has been bestowed with the prestigious ‘Aqua Excellence Award 2017’ under the category of ‘Excellence in Resource Management – Institutional Sector’ at the XI World Aqua Congress 2017 organised at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on the theme ‘’Water and Environment Solutions: Cutting Across Borders”.

The Centre for Advanced Water Technology & Management

(CAWTM) was awarded for its exemplary work in the revival of the Badhkal Lake in Faridabad, Haryana, India and for its commitment to promote awareness, and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels, including the highest decision-making level, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life on earth. 

The students and faculty members at MRIIRS also presented two technical papers at the Aqua Congress which were highly appreciated for their in-depth analysis. These included a paper on: ‘Cause and mitigation measures of flood disasters in upper Yamuna river basin with special reference to NCR region’ by Swati Jain and Dr. Sarita Sachdeva. The second paper was on: ‘Overlooking the role of Energy in Water Management’ by Swati Saigal and Dr D K Chadha.

CAWTM- Future Research Vision

• Intervention for management of saline aquifers for supply of safe drinking water
• MAR (Managed Aquifer Recharge)

-Rain Water harvesting for depleted aquifers to improve quality & reduce energy input

-Urban flooding- water to be used for aquifer recharge

• Climate change-

• Adaptive issue – training and capacity building
• Mitigation- mapping of deep saline aquifers for CO2 Sequestration (Govt. of India programme on carbon capture & sequestration)

• Restoration/revival of defunct or contaminated water bodies/ponds/lakes- both urban & rural areas
• Preparation of water budget  and water security plan for gram-panchayat under Atal Bhujal Yojana
• Remediation of polluted aquifers
• Capacity building and outreach programs under Jal Jeevan Mission

MRIIRS- Water Resources

MRIIRS is totally dependent on groundwater and extracting groundwater from three tube wells (TWs) of the campus, all fitted with water flow meter. These TWs are primary course of water for the campus with drawing groundwater from aquifer developed due to secondary porosity created by weathering and fracturing of quartzites of Delhi Supergroup. The water consumption is measured for entire campus by following the well laid down SOPs.

MRIIRS-Waste Water Treatment Process

MRIIRS has installed a 200KL/Day Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to treat the sewage generated within the campus. Underground drains are constructed connecting all the buildings to the STP. The site of STP is kept in the down slope end of the campus, so as to facilitate the gravitational movement of sewage to STP. The detailed procedure of collection and treatment has been depicted as schematic diagram of STP. Annual discharge of STP is 1810 KL (2021-22). From the measurement it is calculated that Av 5.7KL/Day discharge obtained from STP.  It uses to generate sufficient treated waste water per day to irrigate 2.87ha planted landscape within the lush green campus and for flushing purposes. The output water quality of STP is maintained keeping Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) within permissible level. Frequent analysis of output water is done to keep check on its quality.

Prevention of Water System Pollution

MRIIRS is extracting groundwater from three tube wells in the campus. The well head protection measures have been adopted in the campus.

• All the TWs are secured from accidental and incidental pollution by properly covering the wells.
• Further, prevention of pollution is also ensured through regular and scheduled cleaning of Over Head Tanks and Water Coolers and maintenance of RO systems.
• To ensure the extracted water quality, water quality testing is done at regular interval.

Free Drinking Water for Students, Staff and Visitors

Drinking water is free for all students, faculty members, staff and visitors and is available round the clock. MRIIRS is extracting groundwater from three tube wells in the campus and supplying to the drinking water storage overhead tanks (OHT) to each building. From these OHTs water through RO system goes to water coolers installed at each building and to taps of each floor. The taps are specially equipped with water efficient fixtures. The water cooler and RO system servicing is done as per the approved schedule. The raw water analysis by third party is done in regular interval to have a check on its quality.

Water Conscious Building Standards

MRIIRS follows all water-conscious building standards to minimize the water use. It has adopted green building norms. Toilets are constructed in such a manner that head loss remain minimum. All overflows are channelized back to sump well. Drinking water and raw water OHT are kept separate.  MRIIRS has installed roof top rain water harvesting system in the campus. Also, water saving fixtures and sensors have been installed to taps and toilets.

Water Conscious Planting

MRIIRS is having specially designed and well maintained 2.87 ha lush green plant landscape.  The water treated through STP is used to irrigate the huge landscape of MRIIRS. To minimize use of water in horticulture within campus several drought-tolerant varieties of plants are adopted.

• The gardens have been designed following the water conscious planting.
• Overhead sprinkler systems are used to water the plants in more efficient manner and to minimize the water usage.
• Manav Rachna Centre for Medicinal Plant Pathology established at MRIIRS with one of the aims as Soil and Water Conservation Practices supports the horticulture cell of Manav Rachna in selecting the drought tolerant plants at MRIIRS to in turn minimize the water usage.

Water Reuse Policy of MRIIRS

MRIIRS is having in place green policy for campus that incorporates policy for reuse and recycle of water and is revised time to time. The Water Conservation and Management Section of the Green Policy that highlights the emphasis on water recycling and water re-usage is reiterated as follows:

“MRIIRS realizes that water is a valuable resource and all possible measures should be taken for its conservation. There should be discipline on water usage, and consumption of water should be economized. Water is to be recycled and reused as much as possible aiming towards zero discharge. Drought tolerant plants should be preferred as far as possible in plant landscaping to minimize the water use.”

Water Reuse Measurement

MRIIRS generates monthly Av 151KL water through STP (1810 KL Annum) which is 5700litre/day. This reclaimed water is used for horticulture and toilet flushing. It not only saves precious groundwater but also reduce energy consumption in extracting groundwater from aquifer.  So, as it helps in conserving groundwater resource. Thus, recycling of water is reducing carbon foot print of the campus.MRIIRS has also installed rain water harvesting system in the campus.

Water Management Educational Opportunities for local Communities

MRIIRS has established a center of excellence in April 2017 “Center for Advance Water Technology and Management” to outreach directly and demonstrate engagement initiatives to address the community’s water management and water uses. The center is actively involved in achieving its vision “clean water for all and forever”. The center had begun free “water literacy campaign” and conducting various inhouse and out campus activities for community education on water and hygiene, using Manav Rachna FM Radio, organizing meetings, workshop/ seminar/ paining competitions, campus visit etc.

Promoting Conscious Water Usage on Campus and in the Wider Community

To promote the conscious water use MRIIRS established MRCAWTM in April 2017 with the vision ‘clean water for all forever”. MRCAWTM organized Eco consult meet and other orientation programmes inhouse, and for wider community several sessions on water literacy in campus and for civil society using Manav Rachna FM Radio, organizing meetings, workshop/ seminar/ paining competitions, campus visit etc. Booklets and portable water analysis kits were distributed to promote conscious uses of water. MRIIRS offers courses in the curriculum covering the aspects of sustainable water management. The MRCAWTM promotes the conscious water use through its various activities as appended.

Sustainable Water Extraction on Campus

MRIIRS for sustainability of water extraction has practiced Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in the campus. MRIIRS follows all sustainable water-conscious building standards for water extraction. It has adopted green building norms. Toilets are constructed in such a manner that head loss remain minimum. All overflows are channelized back to sump well. Drinking water and raw water OHT are kept separate.  MRIIRS has installed roof top rain water harvesting system in the campus. Also, water saving fixtures and sensors have been installed to taps and toilets.

Cooperation of MRIIRS with Local, Regional, National or Global Governments on Water Security:

MRIIRS have developed cooperation on water security at local, regional and national level:

• MRCAWTM is having active coordination with Faridabad Smart City Ltd, Faridabad Municipal Corporation and Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority in solving water issues of the city.
• MRIIRS is working with Haryana Irrigation and Water Resource Department (IWRD) Panchkula in implementing Atal Bhujal Yojna Haryana as District Implementation Partner for Faridabad, Rewari and Palwal districts of Haryana State of India towards sustainable development of groundwater through participatory Ground Water management by formulating Gram Panchayat level Water Security Plan.
• MRCAWTM is also working with DST (Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) and has worked with National Institute of Urban Affairs funded research projects towards solving real time water security issues.