Rainwater Harvesting in India: Conserving Water for a Sustainable Future

Introduction

The availability of natural resources for the planet is gradually decreasing. Water is one of those resources that, despite being abundant, has only a very small percentage available for human consumption. While the entire world is grappling with resource shortages, the situation in India is even more challenging because India now has the largest population in the world. This means that 18% of the world’s population has access to only 4% of the global water resources. Though India is a water-secure country, situation is not that great with overexploitation of water bodies.

Water conservation has become a critical issue both globally and in India due to the growing pressure on limited freshwater resources. Freshwater availability is declining, while demand is increasing, leading to severe water stress. Globally, total renewable freshwater resources are approximately 42,000 billion cubic meters (BCM) annually. However, their distribution is highly uneven, with many regions facing acute shortages. In India, annual renewable water resources are around 1,123 BCM, but due to the country's population and agricultural demands, it remains highly water-stressed(UN-Water)(Our World in Data).

Water Distribution Patterns in India

India is a country where the distribution of water and rainfall is highly uneven, leading to frequent issues of water scarcity along with droughts and floods. As per the first census report of water bodies by Ministry of Jal Shakti conducted in 2018-19, a total of 24,24,540 water bodies have been identified across the country, with 97.1% (23,55,055) located in rural areas and only 2.9% (69,485) in urban regions. Of these, ponds make up 59.5% (14,42,993), followed by tanks at 15.7% (3,81,805), reservoirs at 12.1% (2,92,280), and water conservation structures such as percolation tanks and check dams at 9.3% (2,26,217). Lakes account for 0.9% (22,361), while other types of water bodies make up 2.5% (58,884).

The limited water resources and uneven water distribution across country, groundwater depletion is another major problem in India that is worsening day by day. Groundwater is primarily used for irrigation, but it is also crucial for rural and urban domestic supply. As an agriculturally dominant country, India relies heavily on irrigation, which contributes to the overexploitation of groundwater resources.

Current Status of Water in India:

Globally, agriculture consumes around 70% of the world's freshwater, followed by industries at 20%, and domestic use accounting for about 10%. In India, agriculture takes up nearly 90% of total water withdrawals. According to the 2023 data, India's freshwater withdrawals stand at around 760 BCM annually. (UN-Water) (Our World in Data). As per report of Central ground water board, Govt. of India, Year 2023, the current status of total annual extractable ground water resources is about 407.21 bcm, with a total annual ground water recharge of about 449.08 bcm whereas the total ground water extraction is 241.34 bcm. The overall average rate of groundwater extraction across the country is approximately 59.26%.

The sustainable development and effective management of groundwater, a limited resource, has become increasingly challenging. Groundwater accounts for nearly 62% of irrigation, 85% of rural water supply, and 50% of urban water supply (CGWB). Although groundwater is replenished annually, its availability is uneven across different regions and over time. The portion of groundwater that fluctuates with water levels is renewed each year, with rainfall serving as the primary source of recharge. Therefore, the sustainable use of groundwater resources requires more careful attention along with efforts to recharge ground water so that extraction and replenishments remain balanced.

Rainwater Harvesting:

The Government of India's National Groundwater Program, supported by the World Bank through the 'Atal Bhujal Yojana,' promotes groundwater recharge. There are several methods for groundwater recharge, including rainwater harvesting, which is an efficient technique not only for replenishing groundwater but also for water conservation. Rainwater harvesting is an excellent water conservation technique that has existed since ancient times. However, it has now become an urgent necessity because our water sources are very limited, and the ones that we have are becoming increasingly polluted due to industrial activities and economic development. Water has become a major issue worldwide. Recycling and treating water for reuse is an expensive solution, while rainwater harvesting is a simple and effective method for water conservation. The level of groundwater has dropped significantly and continues to decline because we are withdrawing more groundwater than we are recharging. Rainwater harvesting can be very helpful in maintaining this balance, especially when combined with other water conservation techniques.

Industry's Role with Policies and Compliance:

Earlier industries primarily relied on traditional water sources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater to meet their operational needs, often extracting water in large quantities without much oversight. Industrial water consumption was largely unchecked, with limited focus on conservation or sustainable practices.

However, over time, as water scarcity became a growing concern and environmental impacts became more apparent, regulations and policies began to tighten. Governments, both at the national and local levels, introduced stricter water management policies. The introduction of frameworks such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and later environmental regulations focused on sustainability, placed a greater responsibility on industries to manage their water usage more efficiently. These policies required companies to monitor and report their water withdrawals, consumption patterns, and conservation efforts. In response to growing environmental concerns, the concept of rainwater harvesting gained traction as a viable and sustainable solution for industries.

More recently, the push for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices has further accelerated the shift towards sustainable water management in industries. ESG guidelines emphasize the importance of responsible resource management, including water conservation, as part of a company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility. In the Indian context, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), requiring companies to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Under the BRSR framework, companies must provide principle wise performance disclosures, detailing how they comply with the nine key principles outlined in the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC). These principles cover a broad range of essential and leadership indicators, such as ethical business practices, product management, employee welfare, shareholder communication, human rights, environmental care and sustainability, public policy advocacy, economic development, and customer value.

The implementation of rainwater harvesting systems is no longer seen as a regulatory burden but as an essential part of a company’s long-term sustainability strategy. By embracing rainwater harvesting, industries are not only complying with environmental regulations but also contributing to the broader goal of water conservation, setting a powerful precedent for others to follow. This shift marks a significant change in how industries approach water usage, ensuring that businesses play a vital role in sustainable resource management.

The combination of increasing awareness and regulatory pressure has pushed industries to adopt rainwater harvesting as an essential conservation practice. This shift highlights the growing emphasis on sustainable water management within the broader framework of responsible business conduct.

The combination of increasing awareness and regulatory pressure has pushed industries to adopt rainwater harvesting as an essential conservation practice. This shift highlights the growing emphasis on sustainable water management within the broader framework of responsible business conduct.

As a part of responsible & sustainable business practices, companies such as Infosys & Microsoft have set positive examples by implementing various measures for water conservation including integrating rainwater harvesting systems into their operations.

Water Conservation Internationally by Microsoft:

Microsoft has made significant strides in water conservation as part of its sustainability initiatives, with a focus on both reducing water use and replenishing what it consumes. By 2030, Microsoft aims to become water positive, meaning it will replenish more water than it uses globally. One of the company's primary water-saving strategies is implemented in its datacenters. These facilities historically required substantial water for cooling purposes. However, through innovative technologies, Microsoft has reduced its water intensity by over 80% (water consumed per kilowatt-hour). since the early 2000s. Innovations such as direct-to-chip cooling and optimized building designs have been crucial in minimizing water use in cooling processes. For example, in regions like Arizona, Microsoft employs adiabatic cooling, which uses outside air for cooling most of the year, reducing water use by up to 90% during peak temperatures. Rainwater harvesting is another integral part of Microsoft's water conservation strategy.

At several of its global facilities, including those in the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, and now expanding to Canada, the UK, and India, the company is utilizing rainwater harvesting systems. For instance, at its Hyderabad campus in India, Microsoft treats and reuses 100% of the wastewater on-site for landscaping, flushing, and cooling, showcasing its commitment to water recycling. Furthermore, Microsoft's replenishment efforts are substantial. The company has committed to projects that will replenish over 24,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water through various global initiatives. These projects are designed to restore water availability, particularly in water-stressed regions such as California and Arizona. Through these measures, Microsoft not only addresses its operational water footprint but also contributes to broader water sustainability goals by partnering with NGOs to ensure access to clean drinking water in underserved communities around the world. These efforts by Microsoft show progress tracking against current water positive program commitments.

The implementation of rainwater harvesting systems is no longer seen as a regulatory burden but as an essential part of a company’s long-term sustainability strategy. By embracing rainwater harvesting, industries are not only complying with environmental regulations but also contributing to the broader goal of water conservation, setting a powerful precedent for others to follow. This shift marks a significant change in how industries approach water usage, ensuring that businesses play a vital role in sustainable resource management.

Water Conservation in India by Infosys:

A similar example of a great water conservation strategy and implementation is done by Infosys. Infosys has implemented several robust water conservation initiatives across India, focusing on sustainable water management and rainwater harvesting. These initiatives are aligned with their broader environmental goals as part of the Infosys ESG Vision 2030.

• Water Conservation and Recycling: Infosys has significantly reduced its per capita freshwater consumption by 64% between 2008 and 2020. Moreover, 100% of wastewater generated across their campuses is recycled and repurposed for uses such as irrigation, flushing, and cooling systems. This helps conserve freshwater resources while ensuring operational efficiency.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Infosys actively utilizes rainwater harvesting techniques across its campuses. It has created 35 lakes or ponds with a storage capacity of 330 million liters of rainwater. Additionally, 370 injection wells have been installed, with a potential to recharge 18.5 million liters of groundwater daily. These deep-well injection systems play a crucial role in replenishing the local groundwater levels, ensuring a more sustainable water supply for both the company and surrounding communities.
• Community Engagement: Infosys has also extended its water conservation efforts to nearby communities. Through initiatives such as lake rejuvenation and spring-water management projects, Infosys has worked to enhance water availability for agricultural and domestic purposes. This community engagement complements the company's internal water-saving measures, promoting a more sustainable water ecosystem in the regions where it operates. Infosys' efforts underscore the importance of corporate responsibility in addressing water scarcity, particularly in a water-stressed country like India. These initiatives contribute to a more resilient water management system, both within the organization and in the broader community. Microsoft and Infosys have indicated that implementation of rainwater harvesting systems is no longer seen as a regulatory burden but as an essential part of a company’s long-term sustainability strategy. By embracing rainwater harvesting, along with other water conservation measures, industries are not only complying with environmental regulations but also contributing to the broader goal of water conservation, setting a powerful precedent for others to follow. This shift marks a significant change in how industries approach water usage, ensuring that businesses play a vital role in sustainable resource management.

Government Policies on Rainwater Harvesting

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote rainwater harvesting, including: National Water Policy (2012): It emphasizes rainwater harvesting as a key element in water conservation.

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (2020): Aims to recharge groundwater by encouraging community-led management.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): A campaign that focuses on rainwater harvesting and watershed management.
• Model Building Byelaws (2016): Mandates rainwater harvesting in buildings across various states (World Resources Institute)

Despite these policies, implementation and execution at the local level remain inconsistent. In many areas, there is inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale rainwater harvesting, and data on compliance is limited. These initiatives, along with a push for regulatory compliance in industries, are vital for improving the country’s water balance. However, much more rigorous and widespread action is needed to address the ongoing water crisis.

Conclusion

While government policies and industry actions are steps in the right direction, the scale of the water crisis demands much more rigorous and widespread implementation of rainwater harvesting and other conservation methods. Groundwater recharge, supported by rainwater harvesting, is vital to ensuring the sustainable management of India's water resources.