Few Bengaluru apartments Reusing wastewater to foster water conservation

Numerous residential communities in Bengaluru are currently seeking inventive methods to preserve water amidst the prevailing crisis. The primary emphasis lies on the recycling of discharged wastewater from RO filter systems and sewage treatment plants (STP).

Utilizing the wastewater from RO water filters in a centralized manner has been shown to be an effective method for maximizing benefits in these communities.

Aristocrat Apartments at Kasturinagar devised a method to gather approximately 600 liters of RO wastewater daily following an order from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) prohibiting the use of drinking water for non-potable purposes.

Rohini Ghose, secretary of the apartmenmt association said, "We first did a survey in the apartment and found that out of 145 units, we can get around 10 liters of RO wastewater every day from around 70 units. We gave them 10-litre cans to fill and keep outside their houses. This water will then be poured into two 200- litre drums which we have bought. By fitting taps and hose to those tanks, we can use that water for car washing, mopping of common areas, and for plants.”

The apartments, which had implemented innovative water conservation techniques prior to the crisis, are now collaborating to share their ideas and assist other communities of Bengaluru in conserving water.

The RO waste discharge systems from all residences in Krishnanagar Apartments at Vimanapura have been centralized to channel the water into rainwater harvesting (RWH) pits.

An ex-committee member from the society, said, "Per day, we can conserve up to 6,000 litres of water with this method at a mere material and labour cost of ₹3,000. While the treated water from the RWH pits can be used for non-potable purposes, as the RWH pits are close to our borewells, it can also help in recharging the groundwater which could be beneficial to everyone in the vicinity.”

At Sobha Classic in HSR Layout, the centralized RO system has effectively minimized water wastage. Sreejith Govind, a member of the apartment's managing committee, mentioned that due to this centralized system, only 25% of water is lost, as opposed to the 25 liters wasted for every eight liters filtered for drinking individually.

Jubin Thomson, secretary of the apartment welfare association, said "After our usage, we used to pump around 50 KLD STP water into the drain. Hence, we tied up with a private company which converts STP water into potable water. Since many might not be comfortable with consuming such treated water, it can also be bought back by the apartment and used to fill swimming pools or for other such uses.”