Sustainable Water Solutions for Vadodara Urban Region

Seminar organized By SOCLEEN on 8th February 2025

at Lukshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLANS

PREFACE

The Vadodara Urban Area is currently facing a number of infrastructure challenges including inadequate water supply. waste water disposal and fluvial flooding. These are covered under Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, The 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development, adopted by United Nations members in 2015. The National urban mission namely, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme, launched on 01 October, 2021, is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households and coverage of sewerage/septage. The seminar was attended by over 165 representatives from public organisations, industry, academic institutions, Government and Non- Government organisations and citizens with focus on Sustainable Water Supply and Waste Water disposal in Vadodara urban region. Seminar speakers were experts of international and national repute.

RECOMMENDATIONS • Address management of Circular Economy of revenue and non-revenue water. • Excess water run off management by increasing pervious surface area. Pavers used should be designed and laid in such a way to allow water to get absorbed in land. • Increase water absorption areas, create provisions for water credits, rejuvenate borewells. Recharge ground water level by promoting mass level water harvesting at all levels with concept of “Catch the rain where it falls, when it falls” • Mega watershed Recharge wells in and around city to increase ground water level and to minimize effect of fluvial flooding. • Resource Management and mobilization of funds for the development schemes by utilization of Urban Challenge Funds and issuing Green Bonds. • Treat, Recycle and Reuse Waste Water. • Housing Societies and establishments to take responsibilities for water conservation measures by aiming for “Zero Waste Water” localities and establishments.

SOCLEEN ACTION PLAN • To support agencies like “Art of Living Foundation” for their study on ground water recharge and presenting the same to VMC and other private and government organizations. • Support VMC for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. • Providing technical assistance to housing societies, institutions and industries to plan and implement rain water harvesting and reuse of water. • To propose assistance to VMC for preparing a pilot project to access Urban Challenge Fund. • Assist Start-ups working in urban water and waste water sector.