[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Module 4

Elementary conservation of water

Introduction of water conservatism

Putting the available water resources for the best beneficial use with all the technologies
at our command. Reducing the usage of water & recycling of waste water for different purposes
such as cleaning, manufacturing, & agricultural irrigation. It also discussed the following issues

[Link] beneficial reduction in water loss, use & preservation of water quality.

2.A reduction in water use accomplished by implementation of water conservation or water

efficiency measures;

[Link] water management practices that reduce or enhance the beneficial use of water.

4. A water conservation measure is an action, behavioral change, device, technology, or

improved design or process implemented to reduce water loss, waste, or use.

5. Water efficiency is a tool of water conservation that results in more efficient water use and
thus reduces water demand.

6. The value and cost-effectiveness of a water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation
to its effects on the use and cost of other natural resources.

Importance of water conservation

Water conservation is necessary to keep water pure and clean while also protecting the
environment. Conserving water entails being responsible for our water supply and using it
wisely. We must learn how to keep our limited supply of water pure and free of pollution
because everyone depends on it for survival.

Yes, it is a closed system as a planet, but it varies greatly from one region to the next. As a
result, some areas are arid and others are fertile. Even population and pollution play an
important role in resource availability versus resource consumption. Another consideration is
that water recycling is not free. The cost of water treatment and transmission is rising as the
number of pollutants in waste grows, because naturally available water, combined with rainfall,
will not be enough to meet the growing demand.
1. When you "save" water, you are saving money on the purchase and processing of it. Granted,
water does not vanish and will return (somewhere). "Not saving" is synonymous with
"wasting."
2. The processing plant will eventually be unable to keep up. New plants are costly, and
additional sources are difficult to come by.
3. To restore the fast-deteriorating ecosystem & to meet the inevitable emergency of shortage
even for drinking & domestic water in the near future.

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 [BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

4. There is no shortage of water on the planet today, and there is unlikely to be in the future.
However, water distribution is not uniform, and it does not favour sunny, densely populated
areas.
5. All-natural resources should be protected and wisely utilized. Some resources, such as oil,
are limited. Others, such as trees, are renewable (though we are chopping them down at a
faster rate than we are planting them).
6. Water is completely reusable. Closing the loop, however, comes at a high price.
7. Water conservation practices especially in urban areas by industries, municipal uses &
domestic uses can reduce the demand as much as by one third, in addition to minimizing
pollution of surface groundwater resources.
8. Sustainability. To ensure availability for future generations, withdrawal of fresh water from
an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.
9. Energy conservation. Water pumping, delivery, & wastewater treatment facilities consume
a significant amount of energy. About 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water
management.
10. Habitat conservation. Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats
for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build new dams
and other water diversion infrastructures.
11. Reduce water consumption per capita
12. Water conservation programs- initiated at local level, by municipal water utilities or regional
governments
13. Strategies: public outreach campaigns, tiered water rates, restrictions on outdoor water use
such as lawn watering & car washing.
14. Fundamental conservation goal is universal metering - water metering increases the efficiency
of the entire water system.
15. Pay more means – less wastage of water- water department would be able to monitor water
usage by public, domestic and manufacturing services.
16. Water conservation efforts - be primarily directed at farmers.

Importance of water conservation

Water saving for domestic purpose:

1. Low-flow shower heads.
2. Low-flush toilets and composting toilets.
3. Dual flush toilets -use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets.
4. Sea water or rain water can be used for flushing toilets.
5. Faucet aerators- which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain "wetting
effectiveness" while using less water.
6. Wastewater reuse or recycling systems.

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[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

7. Rainwater harvesting.
8. High-efficiency clothes washers.
9. Weather-based irrigation controllers
10. using low flow taps in wash basins
11. Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet

Water Conservation – Commercial Aspects:

1. Waterless urinals.
2. Waterless car washes.
3. Infrared or foot-operated taps, which can save water by using short bursts of water for
rinsing in a kitchen or bathroom.
4. Pressurized water brooms, which can be used instead of a hose to clean sidewalks.
5. X-ray film processor re-circulation systems.
6. Cooling tower conductivity controllers.
7. Water-saving steam sterilizers, for hospitals.
8. Rain water harvesting.

Water Conservation – Agricultural Aspects:

1. For crop irrigation, optimal water efficiency means minimizing losses due to
evaporation, runoff or subsurface drainage while maximizing production.
2. Increase efficiency for existing system.
3. Reduce the flooding type system – go for sprinkler/ drip type systems.
4. Water efficient variety of crops.
5. Land preparation for efficient water use.
6. Use of soil moisture & rainfall sensors to optimize irrigation schedules.
7. Large gains in efficiency are possible through measurement & more effective
management of the existing irrigation system.

Efficient Water Use

1. Reducing the demand by improving personal habits.

2. Reducing wastes.
3. Creating an adequate rate schedule.
4. Deriving benefits from technical developments as well as from water
management techniques.
5. Coordinating the management of hydraulic resources with that of the land and
economical and social aspects.
6. Promoting norms and regulations.

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 [BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Efficient Water Use in Industry

1. The quality of water required depends on the

i. Type of Industry
ii. Its use within the processes
2. Industrial water use can be grouped into three main categories:
i. Heat transfer
ii. Power generation and
iii. Use in industrial processes.
3. The main methods for water efficiency in Industry are:
i. Recycling
ii. Reuse
iii. Reduction in consumption

Reuse in Industry to meet water shortages:

First, practice as much conservation of water as possible.

i. Second, recycle only that fraction of wastewater which is in a relatively good condition
and can be recycled back with little or no treatment.
ii. Thirdly, arrange more ‘reuse’ after some treatment to make the industry’s own
wastewater fit for reuse.
iii. Finally, if still more reuse is needed, get external source of wastewater.

Measures of Water Conservation in Industries

i. Use of pressure reducing orifices- reduce the rate of flow;

ii. Recycle of steam condensates back to the boiler.
iii. Adoption of counter-current washing where washing is done in 3 or 4 successive
compartments.
iv. Use of closed-circuit cooling systems wherever feasible so that re-circulating waters
are not lost in evaporation.
v. Adoption of ‘dry’ cleaning systems wherever possible.
vi. Recycling of water used for conveying materials.
vii. Adopt modern ‘cleaner’ technologies- use less water.
viii. Separate drains carrying wastewaters from different processes- to make recycle /
reuse more feasible, & less cost.
ix. Create and reward awareness among workmen.
Action Plan for Water Conservation

i. Conservation of surface water resources – create new storages and renovate

existing tanks and water bodies.
ii. Conservation of groundwater resources – increase groundwater recharge and
stop groundwater outflows by sub-surface dams, watershed management
measures etc.

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[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

iii. Rainwater harvesting – collection & storage of rainwater at the surface or in sub-
surface aquifers, before it is lost as surface runoff.
iv. Protection of water quality – from pollution is a vital aspect of water
conservation.
v. An important component of water conservation involves minimizing water
losses, prevention of water wastage and increasing efficiency in water use.

Action Plan for Irrigation Sector

i. Performance improvement of irrigation system and water utilization

a. Proper and timely system maintenance;
b. Rehabilitation and restoration of damaged / silted system;
c. Reduce seepage losses by lining;
d. Restoration / provision of appropriate control structures;
e. Renovation and modernization of existing irrigation systems;
f. Provision of adequate water measuring structure.
ii. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in the areas where there is threat of
water logging.
iii. Adopting efficient irrigation systems such as sprinkler and 18 drip irrigation,
wherever suitable.

Water Conservation Possibilities in Industries

i. Using fogging nozzle to cool product.
ii. Installing in-line strainers on all spray headers; regular inspection of nozzles for
clogging.
iii. Adjusting pump cooling and water flushing to the minimum required level.
iv. Determine whether discharge from any one operation can be substituted for the fresh
water supply to another operation.
v. Choosing conveying system that use water more efficiently.
vi. Handling waste materials in a dry mode wherever possible.
vii. Replacing worn-out equipment with water-saving models.
viii. Turning off all flows during shutdowns unless flows are essential for cleanup
adjusting flows in sprays and other lines to meet minimum requirements.
ix. Sweeping and shoveling may be practiced instead of hosing down the floors,
driveways, loading docks, parking areas etc; washing cars / trucks/ buses less often.
x. Avoiding runoff and making sure that sprinklers are used in gardens/ lawns.

Water Conservation Possibilities- Domestic

i. Timely detection and repair of all leaks.
ii. Minimize use of water for all domestic uses such as bathing, brushing, shaving,
washing etc.
iii. By various means
a. Avoid water wastage in cooking, drinking, washing floors etc.
b. Minimum use of water for watering of lawns and gardens.

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[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

c. Installation of high-pressure, low volume nozzles on spray washers

d. Installation of float-controlled valves on the make-up line;
e. Use of recycled water.
iv. Timely detection and repair of all leaks.
v. Minimize use of water for all domestic uses such as bathing, brushing,
shaving, washing etc. by various means
vi. Avoid water wastage in cooking, drinking, washing floors etc.
vii. Minimum use of water for watering of lawns and gardens
viii. Installation of high-pressure, low volume nozzles on spray washers
ix. Installation of float-controlled valves on the make-up line;
x. Washing vehicles less often
xi. Use of recycled water.
xii. In case of big establishments like hotels, large offices and industrial
complexes, community centres etc. dual piped water supply may be insisted upon.
Under such arrangement, one supply may carry fresh water for drinking, bathing
and other human consumptions whereas recycled water from second line may be
utilized for flushing of human solid wastes.
xiii. Similarly, water harvesting through storing of water runoff including rainwater
harvesting in all new buildings on plots of 100 sq.m and above may be made
mandatory.

Reclaimed Water

i. Reclaimed water or recycled water – former wastewater - treated to remove solids &
certain impurities, & used in sustainable landscaping irrigation or to recharge
groundwater aquifers.
ii. Purpose - sustainability & water conservation, rather than discharging treated water to
surface waters such as rivers & oceans.
iii. Reclaimed water - “End product of wastewater reclamation - meets water quality
requirements for biodegradable materials, suspended matter & pathogens - uses such
as agriculture & sundry industry uses”.
iv. For maximum water reuse/reclamation/recovery strategies such as water pinch
analysis (WPA - systematic technique for reducing water consumption & wastewater
generation through integration of water-using activities or processes) - it help a user to
target the minimum freshwater consumption & wastewater target. It also helps in
designing the network that achieves the target.
v. Cost of reclaimed water exceeds that of potable water in many regions of the world.
vi. Using reclaimed water for non-potable uses saves potable water for drinking.
vii. Usage of water reclamation decreases the pollution sent to sensitive environments.
viii. Reclaimed water - highly engineered for safety & reliability so that the quality of
reclaimed water is more predictable than many existing surface & groundwater
sources.
ix. Reclaimed water - safe when appropriately used.
x. Some of this water eventually becomes part of drinking water supplies.

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[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

xi. Reclaimed water is often distributed with a dual piping network that keeps reclaimed
water pipes completely separate from potable water pipes.
xii. Reclaimed water planned for use in recharging aquifers or augmenting surface water
receives adequate & reliable treatment before mixing with natural water & undergoing
natural restoration processes.

Reclamation Processes

i. Preliminary treatment – Bar screen- solids removal

ii. Primary Treatment - Settling Tanks - Readily settable and floatable solids are
removed from the wastewater
iii. Biological Treatment - uses microorganisms- bacteria which digest the sludge
and reduce the nutrient content
iv. Secondary Treatment - Settling Tanks - microorganisms to settle to the bottom-
other small particles suspended in the water are picked up, leaving behind clear
wastewater.
v. Tertiary Treatment - Deep-bed, single-media, gravity sand filters receive water
from the secondary basins and filter out the remaining solids.
vi. Disinfection - Chlorine Contact Tanks

Concept of Reuse of Water

i. Reuse is most applicable – where large volumes of water are reused &
wastes are not too contaminated.
ii. Location of treatment plant and possible transport of renovated water –
Important considerations.
iii. Treatment Processes – Efficient and economical when flow is steady
Generally, in urban areas – Irregular flow.
iv. Wastewater Reclamation: Treatment or processing waste water to make it
reusable.
v. Water Reuse: Use of treated wastewater for beneficial use.
vi. Direct wastewater reuse: requires pipes or other conveyance facilities for
delivering reclaimed water.
vii. Indirect use: Discharge of an effluent to receiving water for assimilation and
withdrawals downstream.
viii. Pulp & Paper Industry- Water reuse -Predominantly practiced.
ix. Domestic reuse: Best recycle opportunity but amount of water recycled falls
short of the total amount of water reused.
x. Warm dry areas – Suitable for domestic reuse where there is a large
difference between supplied water and waste water due to losses.

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering

[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering

[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Water Reclamation & Reuse

i. Water treatment for drinking water – meets standards for drinking water.
ii. Municipal & industrial uses degrade the water quality.
iii. Wastewater treatment: Treatment is carried out to the point required by regulatory
agencies for protection of other beneficial uses.
iv. Dashed line in figure represents increased quality for reuse.
v. Concept of reclamation and reuse will come after wastewater reaches the natural
unpolluted water.

Repurified Water:

i. Generated by further advanced wastewater reclamation technologies

ii. Carbon adsorption, Advanced oxidation & reverse osmosis
iii. Generate much higher quality than conventional drinking water
iv. Character of wastewater entering in renovated plant – Important and especially
industrial waste water
v. EX: Ordinary salt brines, undesirable for if the renovated to be demineralized

Water Reuse Schemes

i. Reuse from various sources – Rainwater, Drainage systems, sewer systems etc.
ii. Scheme depends on intended reuse
iii. Reuse of waste water
iv. Source of wastewater
v. Survey of the sewer system- for finding wastewater availability for reuse
vi. Highly contaminated with metals or containing a high total concentration of
dissolved solids- unacceptable
vii. Deliberate use of treated waste water in planned way is important

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[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Water Reuse – Schemes

i. Unplanned - cities draw water supplies from rivers that receive wastewater u/s. Water
from these rivers -reused, treated, & piped into the water supply a number of times
before the last d/s user withdraws the water.
ii. Planned - developed with the goal of beneficially reusing a recycled water supply.
iii. The water reuse may be for – Agricultural purposes- for agricultural reuse-
preliminary, primary and secondary treatment steps - fit for discharge to the
environment.
iv. Industrial or domestic purposes- may be tertiary treatment required to remove the
more residual pollutants, especially the dissolved and refractory substances & micro-
organisms depending on the use contemplated.

Types of Wastewater Reuse

i. Reuse of urban wastewater in agriculture and horticulture from sewered areas.

ii. Reuse of urban wastewater from polluted nallahs draining unsewered areas.
iii. Reuse in industrial and commercial establishments to meet the water shortage.
iv. Reuse in industry to meet various other objectives besides relief from water
shortage such as ‘zero discharge’.
v. Reuse for major urban & community development purposes; eg. to augment public
water supplies.

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering

[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Reuse in Industries

Typical strategy followed by most of the industries is as follows:

i. Firstly, practice as much conservation of water as possible.

ii. Secondly, recycle the fraction of waste water which is in relatively good
condition & can be recycled back with little or no treatment.
iii. Thirdly, arrange more ‘reuse’ after some treatment to make the industry’s own
wastewater fit for reuse.
iv. Lastly, if more reuse is needed, get the external sources of wastewater, such as
municipal sewage.

Water Reuse in India – Example 1

Madras Refineries & Madras Fertilizers Ltd., Chennai:

i. Madras Refineries is producing 12 Mld of reusable water and Madras Fertilizer

is producing 16 Mld of reusable water since 1991.
ii. Here the Chennai Metro Water Board supplies secondary treated sewage (with
about 120 mg/L BOD) and the industries provide the further required treatment
depending on their end-use.
iii. Secondary Treated Wastewater -> Additional Secondary Biological Treatment -
> Chemically Aided Settling + Pressure Filtration + Ammonia Stripping,
Carbonation,
iv. Clarification, Pressure Filtration-> Chlorination -> Sodium Bisulfite Dosing ->
Multimedia Filtration -> Cartridge Filtration >Reverse Osmosis > Permeate 18
->-> for Reuse in Industry.

Water Reuse in India – Example 2

Vadodara Pilot Plant, Gujarat:

i. This plant uses highly polluted wastewater from a “effluent disposal channel”
into which several industries (such as refineries, fertilizers, petrochemicals)
discharge their raw wastes with a capacity of 3 Mld freshwater.
ii. The plant shows that at least 75% of wastewater could be made reusable at an
operating cost of Rs. 36/ 1000 litres. The flow sheet adopted in the plant include:

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering

[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Wastewater -> Chem-feeds (Lime, Polyelec, Soda Ash) -> Clarification-> HCl ->
Pressure Filtration -> Sodium Biosulfite -> Cartridge Filters ->Reverse Osmosis ->
Degasser to Remove CO2 -> for Reuse in Industry.

Future of Water Reuse

i. Due to water scarcity - Water reuse increasing

ii. Reuse – through recycling/ reclamation found to be effective and successful.
iii. Primarily - Nonpotable reuse - widely accepted practice that will continue to
grow.
iv. More advances technologies in recycling/ reclamation
v. Indirect potable reuse.
vi. More energy efficient
vii. Sustainable water management/ watershed management
viii. Public participation & awareness important.

How can pollution prevention help you?

It is hard to imagine that one person can make a difference in protecting and conserving fresh
water supplies on this planet, but each individual can really help the environment. The
following P2-related concepts can help you protect water from pollution, conserve water by
reducing the amount of water you use, and save money:
Changing What You Use
i. Replace shower heads and faucet aerators with water efficient models.
ii. Use a water-filled milk jug or plastic bottle in your toilet tank to displace water; this
allows your toilet to operate using less water.
iii. Choose nonphosphate or low phosphate detergents. High phosphate levels in lakes and
streams can kill fish and other wildlife.
iv. Use a broom instead of water to clean your driveway or garage. Do not sweep debris
into the street or storm sewer.
v. Put a spray nozzle on the end of your hose for car washing and plant watering to prevent
the hose from continually releasing water and to control the amount of water used.
vi. Use native plants in your garden that require less water.
vii. Use cat litter or sand instead of salt on icy walks. Salt pollutes water and kills plants.

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering

[BCV654A] WATER CONSERVATION AND RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Changing What You Do

i. Do not open fire hydrants on hot summer days because water needed to fight a fire
will not be available in an emergency. Also, opening fire hydrants is illegal.
ii. Do not throw in the trash, pour down the drain, or dump on the ground paint,
antifreeze, motor oil, and other household hazardous wastes, because they can
migrate to your water source.
iii. Dispose of tissues, dead insects, and other waste in a trash can rather than a toilet.
iv. Plant native plants instead of traditional lawn grass to avoid the use of herbicides,
pesticides, fertilizers.
v. Do not dump used motor oil on the ground or into sewers; throwing motor oil in the
trash is illegal.
vi. Recycling centers and many service stations accept used motor oil for recycling.

Improving Your Housekeeping

i. Fix leaks by replacing faucet washers and toilet flappers as needed. A slow drip
or leak can easily waste more than 100 gallons of water a week, which leads to
an unnecessarily high-water bill.
ii. Put all litter in trash cans so it does not get washed into the storm sewers.
iii. Clean up waste products while walking your pets.

Educating Yourself and Others

i. Educate your community about the effects of dumping waste, such as pesticides, down
drains and into waterways.
ii. Encourage your neighbors, family, and friends to install low flow water fixtures and to
practice water conservation.

Prepared by Dr Kiran K K , Department of Civil Engineering