Research

CSE-COE Phase 2 : 2014-2017

PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE: Water Efficiency and Conservation

In continuation to the Policy paper published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), this practitioner's guide recognizes the need for conserving and using water efficiently. Meant for policy makers, planners and practitioners, this guide is an attempt to mainstream water efficiency and conservation from policy to practice. Its thematic areas include in situ water augmentation, water efficiency and behavioural changes, with new interventions introduced and effectiveness of measures that can be implemented on city, neighbourhood or individual scale.

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PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE: Green Infrastructure

Existing urban planning paradigm lacks integration of land and water interface. The need of the hour is to recognize the importance of urban green spaces in creating a naturally-oriented water cycle while contributing to the amenity of the city. GI practices are demonstrated through relevant strategies which can be applied within the existing urban fabric of a city or a region.

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Water Sustainability Template

This template is a roadmap for sustainable urban water management. It will help cities know where they stand in terms of sustainable practices, and how they need to proceed with their water resources. It aims to help civic bodies to recognize their strengths and areas of improvement, enabling greater efficiency and constructive results.

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PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE: Septage Management - Urban India's journey beyond ODF

It is recognized that septage management is essential to achieve citywide sanitation, as more than 70 per cent urban population in India is dependent on onsite sanitation systems (OSS).

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PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE: Water-sensitive Urban Design and Planning

A Practitioner’s Guide

Water-sensitive urban design and planning (WSUDP) integrates the urban water cycle, water supply, wastewater, storm-water and groundwater management with spatial and urban design. This approach contributes to sustainability and livability, particularly when considered part of an overall urban strategy.

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POLICY PAPER: Mainstreaming Energy Efficiency in Urban Water and Wasterwater Management in the wake of Climate Change

The high energy footprint of conventional municipal water management practices and contemporary disharmony between the water and energy sectors has resulted in missed joint opportunities for resource conservation. It has also constrained both sectors from fully reaping financial, environmental and societal benefits. This problem will be further exacerbated with climate change-related uncertainties surrounding both water and energy sector that will act as a significant ‘threat multiplier’.Increase in the demand for energy to transport and treat water and wastewater in cities of developing countries is likely to be significant in the next 20 years.

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According to the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Global Risk report, around one third of the global population is currently water stressed, with about one billion people not getting safe drinking water—the water crisis is perceived as a top-order threat. India is no different. According to Indian government data, 22 out of 32 of India’s big cities face water crises.

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CSE has submitted a report on septage management in Shimla as a part of its deliverable as CoE in the area of Water Management under MoUD.

The main city of Shimla is connected to a centralised sewerage network but the outer areas are not adequately connected to this network. This paper explores the alternative methods of wastewater treatment and reuse based on the decentralised approach. It also covers techno- economic feasibility of the project for Shimla city and highlights the status of sewage management in the region along with role of septic tanks in unconnected areas.

CSE proposed implementation of Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) in the identified zones by making improvements to the existing system. Decentralised system is an economical, cost effective alternative and offers long-term sustainability of the system.

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CSE-COE Phase 1 : 2009-2013

CSE has developed a "Policy Paper on Septage Management in India" as deliverable of Centre of Excellence in the area of sustainable water management under the Ministry of Urban Development.This document on septage management aims to assist the Government of India towards preparation of national level septage management policies and guidelines.

Access to improved sanitation in urban India has risen but the management of onsite sanitation systems such as septic tanks remains a neglected component of urban sanitation and wastewater management.

Capturing Rainwater: A way to augment Chandigarh’s water resources

CSE has submitted a report on city wide rainwater harvesting for Chandigarh as a part of its work as CoE under MoUD. Chandigarh does not have any surface water source and there is a steep decline in the groundwater level in the city. The city has very few options for sourcing water, hence recharging the confined aquifers from where water is being tapped, becomes a necessity. Every summer, newspaper reports quote residents residing on the second and third floors in the southern sectors of the city complaining about the shortage of drinking water.

Residents have also held a series of protests in several parts of the city.

The water shortage is likely to get worse in the coming years as the population is already more than double the planned capacity for the city. CSE proposes way to augment the water sources of the city through harvesting the rainwater endowment of the city.

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Rating System for Water Efficient Fixtures: A way to sustainable water management in India

CSE has developed a paper titled ‘Rating System for Water Efficient Fixtures in India’, as a part of its work as CoE under MoUD.

Building water use constitutes a very high percentage in the total city water use profile. The nature of water use within a building is a directly related to the building functions, type of equipments installed etc. Fixtures in bathrooms, toilet and kitchen consume more than 40% of total building water use. This is a cause of concern since India is facing severe water crisis in terms of declining availability and quality affecting millions of people. But, there is ample potential for efficiency improvement!

At present, India has no standards or specifications of water efficiency for water using fixtures in toilets and kitchens.Several countries across the world have initiated rating system for water efficient fixtures to facilitate consumers to identify products that are more water efficient. CSE through this paper has attempted to highlight the present status and need for introducing a water efficiency rating system for water using fixtures.

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CSE has developed a"Roadmap for Rating System for Water Efficient Fixtures: A Way to Sustainable Water Management in India" as deliverable of Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Urban Development. This document includes, background of the preparation of roadmap including the draft framework proposed for introduction of rating system for water efficient fixtures in India. The document intends to facilitate understanding on the existing legal and institutional options available for mainstreaming the rating system.In addition, it also proposes additional options that can be considered to facilitate effective implementation of this crucial water reform.

Besides this, the document covers another crucial aspect related to instruments and tools available in the form of manual, standards, guidelines etc. to improve understanding and implementation of water policies especially on aspects like conservation, efficiency etc. The final section provides details on the proposed roadmap inclusive of roles and responsibilities, time frame, dissemination, support agencies etc. to undertake and implement the rating system for water efficient fixtures in India.

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