Client
INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Location
Gachibowli
Type
–
Site Area
10,52,184 sq. meters
Rooftop Area
87,160 sq. meters
Annual Rainwater Potential
85.97 cr litres
Result - Savings Annually
601835745
Rainwater saved
120367500 rupeesMonetary savings
109425
Water Tankers Saved
Problem
Despite well-designed stormwater channels across the ISB campus, several water management issues persist. Rooftop runoff is not separated from stormwater and flows untreated into storm channels, which have concrete bases, preventing natural infiltration. A major concern is sewage ingress from the TNGO’s colony, which creates a cesspool and contaminates stormwater channels and artificial lakes used for rainwater storage—polluting groundwater in the process. The site’s rocky geology further limits natural recharge, turning lakes into evaporation basins. Existing recharge structures, including borewells and pits, are either under-capacity, silted, or non-functional, especially during summer. Groundwater use is high—accounting for over 40–50% of daily water demand—yet there is inadequate recharge, causing heavy reliance on external water sources like HMWSSB. Additionally, the treated STP water is supplemented with borewell water, hinting at inefficiencies in either treatment or supply. With the campus consuming over 3 lakh litres daily and receiving substantial rainfall, there is significant untapped potential for rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge.
Solution
To address these issues, a comprehensive groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting strategy is recommended. All stormwater channels should be desilted, and multiple recharge pits with injection borewells— recahrge pit of 10 feet deep and 4 feet in diameter and 4 cum modular recahrge tanks—should be installed intermittently along these channels after conducting a micro-profile study. Pollution from the TNGO’s colony must be arrested immediately to prevent further contamination. Once resolved, the polluted artificial lake should be emptied, desilted, deepened, and planted with canna plants along its beds to support natural treatment. Rooftop water should be harvested separately, with storage sumps created at entry points before directing overflow into storm channels for recharge. A new 3,00,000-liter rainwater sump is recommended for the main academic block, connected to rooftop pipes via silt chambers. Existing wells, particularly the one in partial use, should be desilted and reactivated to improve groundwater recharge. These interventions will enhance both the quality and quantity of groundwater, reduce reliance on external sources, and support long-term water sustainability for the campus.
