Water audit of Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh – A zero discharge campus

Abstract

Water has always been regarded as a low-cost and abundant resource. It was viewed as a limitless resource, with little motivation to conserve it. Recently, perception has shifted. The rapid increase in population growth, industrial and commercial development, and provincial draughts are making it difficult for drinking water supply systems to keep up with rising demand. Many new technologies have been created in recent decades to improve the efficiency of water supply and consumption. A water audit is a rigorous study of all water appurtenances, equipment, fixtures, and processes at an organization/facility. The water conservation and effective use management plan begins with a complete water audit and serves as the foundation of the collaborative effort. The selected campus for the water audit is Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh. The results of this study showed that a structured and orderly conducted water audit helps an educational institute to conserve water and make certain of its optimum usage. The university campus assures ongoing financing for fixture and appurtenance replacement, which helps to reduce water losses. Improving interdepartmental communication aids in the development of an effective management plan, and a welldesigned water recycling and reuse system ensures a decrease in net water usage.