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Water Reuse Measurement at Amrita – 2024

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham continues its commitment to sustainable water management by systematically measuring and expanding water reuse across all campuses. Wastewater generated from academic, residential, healthcare, and utility facilities is effectively treated and reused, supporting the university’s long-term vision of minimising freshwater dependence and progressing toward net-zero water loss, in alignment with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Water Reuse Infrastructure and Measurement Framework

All Amrita campuses operate advanced Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a combined treatment capacity of 1.4 million litres per day (MLD). These facilities have been upgraded with improved aeration systems and enhanced sludge management to ensure stable performance and high treatment efficiency.

Water reuse is measured and verified through:

  • Flow meters installed at STP outlets and reuse distribution tanks
  • IoT-enabled sensors for real-time tracking of treated water volumes
  • Centralised digital dashboards consolidating reuse data across campuses

This framework ensures transparent, auditable measurement of reused water.

Water Reuse Performance – 2024

In 2024, Amrita recorded a total water consumption of 222,503 m³ across all campuses.

  • Treated and reused water: 93,889 m³
  • Share of total water demand met through reuse: 42.2%
  • Share of wastewater generated that was treated and reused: ~73%

Reused water is primarily applied for toilet flushing, gardening, landscaping, cooling operations, and construction activities, significantly reducing reliance on freshwater sources.

Treated Water Data for 2024

In 2024, approximately 73% of the wastewater generated across campuses was treated and reused, resulting in 42.2% of total water demand being met through recycled water.

Month Portable Water Treated / Reused (m³) Water Total Water Consumption (m³)
Drinking (m³) Utility Water (m³)
Jan 4,049 6,240 7,511 17,800
Feb 4,049 6,240 7,511 17,800
Mar 5,061 7,800 9,389 22,250
Apr 5,061 7,800 9,389 22,250
May 2,530 3,900 4,694 11,125
Jun 3,542 5,460 6,572 15,575
Jul 3,542 5,460 6,572 15,575
Aug 4,049 6,240 7,511 17,800
Sep 4,049 6,240 7,511 17,800
Oct 4,555 7,020 8,450 20,025
Nov 5,061 7,800 9,389 22,250
Dec 5,061 7,800 9,389 22,250
TOTAL 50,609 78,005 93,889 222,503

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

The STPs employ aerobic activated sludge treatment, consistently producing treated water with BOD levels below 3 mg/L, exceeding regulatory requirements. Treated water quality is verified through:

  • Regular testing at institutional laboratories, including SEER Lab
  • Periodic sampling and validation at Amritapuri and Coimbatore campuses
  • Continuous monitoring of operational parameters

During dry months, reuse levels increase due to higher non-potable demand, while monsoon periods show slightly reduced reuse ratios due to lower irrigation requirements.

Green Infrastructure and Ecological Integration

Water reuse directly sustains Amrita’s green campus ecosystems, including Aushadavanam herbal gardens, Amritavanam rainforests, and Butterfly Parks. By 2024, over 190,000 trees across campuses were supported using recycled water, contributing to groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation, and microclimate regulation.

Reused water supports:

  • Irrigation for orchards and landscaped areas
  • Toilet flushing and cooling systems (85–100% non-potable use)
  • Construction and maintenance activities (100% treated water use)
  • Community agriculture through shared water initiatives

Future Outlook

Building on current performance, Amrita aims to further strengthen water reuse through the addition of new treatment capacity planned for 2025–26 and deeper integration of IoT-based water analytics. These initiatives will enhance reuse efficiency, improve predictive monitoring, and reinforce data-driven water governance across campuses.

Through systematic measurement, large-scale reuse, and transparent reporting, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham demonstrates effective progress toward SDG 6.4: improving water-use efficiency and increasing safe reuse, supporting sustainable and responsible water management across the university.

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