Bidholi and Kandoli campuses ยท managing groundwater sustainably
Rainwater harvesting pits6, with metered recharge
Water tableMonitored by online piezometer
Wastewater plant550 KLD, reused for horticulture
PolicyZero Water Discharge
Overview
UPES draws groundwater through borewells on both campuses and puts water back into the ground through rainwater harvesting, so that it uses the local aquifer without depleting it. Abstraction follows Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, and the university operates on a Zero Water Discharge policy.
Impact
Groundwater taken out is matched by rainwater put back, and treated wastewater is reused rather than released.
6rainwater harvesting pits
550 KLDwastewater treatment for reuse
600 KLDwater treatment plant
Recharge is metered and the water table is watched online.
Abstraction follows CGWA guidelines.
Borewells
Deep borewells with automated submersible pumps serve non-drinking needs such as cooling, toilet flushing and landscaping, with control over pumping hours and flow.
Borewells are sited after hydrogeological surveys in recharge-friendly zones, so that they do not stress the aquifer over time.
Extracted groundwater is tested routinely for TDS, pH, nitrates and microbiological quality.
Abstraction volumes follow Central Ground Water Authority guidelines, and borewell shafts are sealed against surface pollutants and sewage.
Most water pumping is done at night on time-of-day tariffs.
Rainwater harvesting
Roof and surface runoff is collected through gutters, downpipes and storm drains, with first-flush diverters and filter chambers before storage or recharge.
Harvested rainwater is stored for gardening and cleaning, and selected systems feed recharge pits and percolation wells near the borewells.
UPES has six rainwater harvesting pits, with dedicated metering of the water recharged, and an online piezometer monitors the water table.
Gutters, filters and tanks are cleaned before and after every monsoon.
Treatment and reuse
UPES has a water treatment plant of 600 KLD and a wastewater treatment plant of 550 KLD, which allows treated water to be reused for horticulture and gardening.
The university operates on a Zero Water Discharge policy.
Compliance
The Technical Services department ensures compliance with CGWA requirements and other applicable regulations, and the water systems are designed to meet CGWA, MoEFCC and State Pollution Control Board guidelines.
Photographs
Rainwater harvesting well No. 6.A rainwater harvesting recharge pit.
Source: records of the UPES Administration and Technical Services departments.
