WATER AUDIT
Water is lifeVirtually everything we do or use each day involves water. Yet, we do not give it the importance that is due to it. India will soon be a water-stressed country and we all need to work towards our water security. Simple actions can be adopted to reduce the wastage of water and use it wisely.
• INTRODUCTION
– What is a Water Audit?– How does it help?– Importance of Water Audit– Myths– Audit types•
Water Audit study is a qualitative and quantitative analysis of water consumption to identify means of reuse and recycling of water. This study includes segregation of effluent streams and schemes for effectively treating them to enable byproduct recovery. Water Audits encourage social responsibility by identifying wasteful use, enables estimation of the saving potential. They not only promote water conservation but also deliver cost savings. In addition they help companies safeguarding public health and property, improve external relations and reduce legal liability.
AUDIT PROCESS
– Conducting Audits – First Steps– Measurements, Water Consumption– Water consumption Pattern•
MOVING AHEAD
– Identifying and Fixing the Problem– Water Conservation– AwarenessDefinition: Water Audit is a qualitative and quantitative analysis of water consumption to identify means of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling of water
HOW DOES IT HELP?
• A water audit can help save money by reducing school water bills• Water conservation helps our cities – Cities are stressed for water resources.• A water audit will help reduce wastage and unnecessary use.• It makes the students more aware and responsible.• A water audit can be a student project that encompasses a number of subjects
DID YOU KNOW?
It is possible to cut your water usage by 10-30% by implementing simple conservation measures
IMPORTANCE OF WATER AUDIT
• Systematic process• May yield some surprising results• Easier to work on solutions when the problems are identified• A tracking mechanism can be put into place
MYTH
SDoesn’t compromise on quality of waterDoesn’t make water a priority over studiesDoesn't require the student to stay beyond school hours
AUDIT PROCESS
MeasurementsCalculationsAudit observationsReportDiscussionsZeroing in on conservationsteps that can be takenPlanning and process finalizationImplementation
What are the sources of water ?
• Municipal supply• Bore well• Dug well• Tankers• Others
Estimate the quantity of water supplied from each source
Bore well and Dug well supplies…
1. Measure flow rate ( time taken to fill a 10 litre bucket at the outlet of the pump.)Keep a track of number of hours the pump is on in a day (record every day of the week for two weeks).Use these two to calculate the quantity of waterwithdrawnEstimate the quantity of water supplied from each sourceMunicipal SupplyTabulate monthly municipal water supply (from bills)for the past three years in the supply tracking sheetFor tankers….Using bills, tabulate the amount of water receivedon a monthly basis using the supply tracking sheet
Tabulate consumption patterns and depict using graphical toolsMap the water points and usage areas• Draw a plan of the school premises showing the building and main features.• Mark the water supply inlets and storage tanks• Mark all water points (toilets, hand wash points, Sinks in labs, drinking water fountains, canteen, irrigation taps, water meters, pumps etc.• Identify each point with an alphanumeric code• Colour code freshwater and waste water lines• Mark where the waste water goes.• Mark the storm water drain system in the premises, if any.•
Can you meter water consumption at various inlet points?•
Meters are expensive.
• Can you purchase one meter and use it in rotation to monitor water use at different locations?• If you cannot afford a meter, use surveys, observations and calculationsEstimating Water use without a meterCalculate the quantity of water that flowsout through each tap.• Calculate the flow of water using a measuring jar and a stop watch.• Monitor / survey the time for which the tap is open in a day.• Fill this data in the consumption tracking sheet.Calculations, water Consumption•
To calculate flow of toilets, turn off the water supply to the toilet, mark the water line on the inside of the tank, flush and then fill the tank with water from mug.• Measure the volume of one mug and record number of mugs required to fill water back up to the water line mark.• Monitor / survey the number of times each toilet is used.• Fill this data in the consumption tracking sheet.
Estimating Water use without a meter
• Follow similar procedures to estimate water use at each water outlet.•
The consumption tracking sheet will help you calculate the total quantity of water used in a day.Speak to the person in charge of thewater valves and pumps.• Is water usage planned or is pump switched on when waterlevels in the tank are low?• What monitoring mechanisms are in place to check tank overflow?• How often does the tank overflow?• How much water is wasted each time the tank overflows?
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
• Type of fixture (dual flush toilet, capacityof flush tank, type of tap spring-loaded /screw type / lever, etc.)• Notice condition of fixtures – dirty,stuck, leaking, broken etc
WATER CONSUMPTION PATTERN
When tabulating the consumption patterns, you may come across varied results from the normal.Consumption of water in winter may be lessConsumption of water in summer just before the holidays may be highRainy season – you might not consume water for gardening purposeExams, Weekends and Holidays – water consumptionis likely to be lessConsumption of water in winter may be lessConsumption of water in summer just before the holidays may be highRainy season – you might not consume water for gardening purposeExams, Weekends and Holidays – water consumptionis likely to be less
Ideal scenario : no losses
Average scenario : 15 – 30%
lossesThere is a problem : losses > 30%
DISCUSSIONSAND TAKING THE RIGHT STEPSFIRST, FIX THE PROBLEMS
• Identify the points where there are losses• Identify the solutions• Assign the responsibility for implementation.• Implement the solutions• Prepare a Monitoring schedule• Assign a person for monitoring.
WAYS TOCONSERVE WATER
Represent waterusage graphically. Identify areas where water can be conservedConductGroup discussionsand brainstorming sessionsList down yourSuggestions for each area where water is used
Garden
Keep a check on hoses in the gardenTry out efficient devices like the spray nozzlesDrip IrrigationPlant native plants that require less waterChange the ground surfaces and vegetation to control runoff in the school groundsWater the roots of the plant and don't splash water all aroundToilets and washing points• Reduce the flush water volume in toilets.• Replace single flush cisterns with dual flush• Install low flow fixtures for taps.
Install a rainwater harvesting system and use the water for toilets, cleaning floors and gardening.
Create interesting awareness programmes
