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.

Shafia,Sarika,Nandhini,Puneeth,Neelkanth

Interns at Biome Environmental Trust

Summer 2024