Water Water Water: June 2024

Navigating water challenges – Our visit to Sandeep Vihar Apartments

As we completed our visit to Allure Avani, we were taken to the next site. We visited Sandeep Vihar apartments in Kannamangala, Bengaluru, to gain insights into their water management challenges and potential solutions. We were first introduced to Mr. Navneeth Rao, a retired colonel and resident of Sandeep Vihar apartments. He gave a brief insight about the site and its water related issues followed by giving us a tour of the apartment.

Biome Water team with Sandeep Vihar residents

Sandeep Vihar Apartments have a significant daily water consumption of 4.5 lakh liters. Previously, the site had a direct connection to the Kaveri River, supplying water four times a week, ensuring that the sumps within the site remained full. However, this dependency shifted dramatically when the Kaveri Basin went dry, forcing the community to heavily rely on water tankers.

Initially, the site used 7-8 tankers, but the drying up of Kaveri Basin has increased this reliance up to 35 tankers per day. This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.

The site has 19 bore wells out of which only 5 are operational, while rest are dried up. The limited focus maintaining and utilizing bore wells has increased the issue of water scarcity. To address this, a proposal has been planned by the Biome Water team to incorporate recharge wells near the existing bore wells that still yield water. This approach aims to replenish the groundwater and make the bore wells more reliable over time.

Biome Team marking the locations of RWH pits

Mr. Navneeth Rao advocates for a gradual implementation of these solutions. He emphasizes considering the diverse opinions of the residents regarding water usage and management, preferring a slow and steady approach to see better, long term results. After finishing the tour of the apartment, we were taken back to the lobby area and were served with delicious samosas and tea. We also had a general talk with him regarding Indian water systems and the mindset of Indian people.

Mr. Navneeth Rao taking us through the site

In conclusion, our visit here was an eye opening experience, highlighting the critical need for sustainable water management in urban settings. This visit also reinforced the value of community involvement and thoughtful planning in addressing water scarcity issues, ensuring a more sustainable future for Sandeep Vihar.

Our Visit to the Allure Avani Project Site

On 24^th May 2024, our Biome Water team visited the Allure Avani site near Bengaluru. The project isn't built yet, but we got to see their plans, and they're impressive. The site spans 43 acres and will have 138 big houses. They're building it in three phases to keep things organized and eco-friendly. When it's done, about 2,100 people will live there.

Construction of Villas

One cool thing about the site is how it slopes from west to east. They're using this natural slope to collect rainwater. On the east side, they're setting up a big pond to catch rain, which can hold up to 7 lakh liters of water! They also have 20 wells around to help recharge the groundwater.

Recharge wells

The Pond set-up

The site also features two bore wells, providing an additional water source. However, it’s noteworthy that while the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will supply water for construction, the villas will rely on tanker water post-construction. To address water quality, a water treatment plant (WTP) with a softener and a sewage treatment plant (STP) with a 400 KL capacity are proposed. These facilities will ensure the provision of clean water and proper waste management, emphasizing the project's commitment to sustainability.

Despite these measures, the ongoing construction has caused runoff from the paved areas to be unclean and unfit for use. To address the anticipated high water demand of 2,100 residents, we suggest increasing the number of recharge wells around the site and installing additional storage tanks. These enhancements will help meet the community's water needs sustainably.

Interaction with the officials at the site

Our connection with Allure Avani began when they approached Biome after seeing our successful work on the Rainbow Drive project. This collaboration underscores our commitment to excellence and innovation in urban planning and development.

In conclusion, our visit to the Allure Avani project site was an insightful experience that deepened our understanding of sustainable urban planning. The integration of natural landscape features, efficient water management systems, and adherence to cultural principles showcased a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. We left with a renewed appreciation for the complexities and foresight involved in creating a sustainable community, looking forward to seeing Allure Avani transform from a vision into reality.

Shafia,Sarika,Nandhini,Puneeth,Neelkanth

Interns at Biome Environmental Trust

Summer 2024

Our First site visit!

We, the new Biome interns with the biome team got to go on our first site visit at Divyasree 77° East apartments on 22nd May 2024. Our group of five comes from various educational backgrounds, including environmental science, business, architecture, and city planning. Focusing on solving water management issues. We saw firsthand the challenges of managing water resources effectively. When we visited the site, we noticed they had nine borewells, but only four were working. This showed they struggled with maintaining and using these water systems. Before us, they had asked another group for help, but they wanted more advice, so they came to Biome Environmental Trust too. It shows how important it is to get different expert opinions on tough environmental problems. The place itself was well-designed, with lots of greenery making it nice and eco-friendly.

We also integrated stormwater pipes into the area, which helps manage rainwater well. To stop water from leaking, they made all the basement walls waterproof. This helps keep the building strong and safe. However, the ground under the site was clay, which made it hard to dig wells to collect water. This meant we had to come up with new ideas.

So, we suggested putting in filter borewells. These wells are like recharge wells but go deeper, which helps get through the clay. This shows how we can adapt to what's happening in the area. Also, we made sure any water that flowed too much from the recharge wells went to the outer drain. This keeps water moving and stops it from flooding. We're doing this project in phases. First, we'll put in one filter borewell to see how much good water we can get. After that, we'll add more wells as needed. This careful plan makes sure our ideas work well and keep working in the future. Another big problem at the apartments is their high water bills – they pay about ₹30 lakh each month! This shows how much we need to manage water better. By fixing the borewells and using water wisely, we can cut down on costs and help the environment too.

Overall, this internship at Biome Environmental Trust has been eye-opening. It's taught us a lot about handling water problems and why it's important to use facts and be flexible. Our work isn't just about getting water – it's about making sure the environment stays healthy and looks good too. As we keep checking and improving what we're doing, I'm sure we'll make things better for everyone at Divyasree 77° East apartments and beyond.