Guwahati airport boosts rainwater harvesting system
Guwahati, Aug 12
The Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati has strengthened its rainwater harvesting and utilisation system, with harvested rainwater meeting around 28 per cent of the total water consumed at its newly built Terminal 2 in July this year, officials said on Wednesday.
The initiative is part of the airport's broader sustainability agenda and its objective of becoming water positive by integrating rainwater collection, treatment and reuse across its operations. Guwahati receives around 1,800-2,200 mm of rainfall annually, providing significant potential for rainwater harvesting. The airport has already recorded around 1,320 mm of rainfall till August 9 this year, officials stated.
The airport has two large rainwater collection tanks with a combined capacity of 1,000 kilolitres. The harvested water is treated at the airport's Water Treatment Plant and subsequently used for several operational requirements, including drinking water fountains, equipment cleaning and cooling tower make‑up water. For potable applications, the harvested rainwater undergoes multi‑stage treatment and purification to meet prescribed drinking water quality standards.
Officials said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on external water sources while making more efficient use of rainwater, particularly as passenger footfall increases and infrastructure development continues at the airport. The integrated water management system involves coordination between the Engineering and Maintenance, Environment, Social and Governance, Operations and Projects teams. This enables rainwater to be captured, treated and reused for multiple operational purposes.
The initiative is significant, as airports require substantial quantities of water for passenger facilities, maintenance, cooling, and other day‑to‑day operations. Greater reliance on harvested rainwater can help reduce pressure on conventional water sources while improving overall resource efficiency.
LGBI Airport has been pursuing a range of sustainability measures aimed at responsible resource management and environmental protection. Officials said its integrated approach to rainwater harvesting reflects a commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable airport ecosystem while meeting the growing water requirements associated with the expansion of aviation infrastructure in Guwahati.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is the kind of news we need more of! Instead of complaining about the monsoon, here's an example of using it wisely. Hopefully other airports and big institutions across India will learn from this model. Water conservation must become a national priority.
Interesting efficiency measure. But 28% is still modest - with Guwahati's rainfall, they could aim for 50-60% if the infrastructure is properly scaled. Also, I'd like to see more transparency on the water quality testing for potable use. Good first step anyway.
Very proud moment for Assam! 🙌 Finally, airports are thinking about sustainability instead of just expansion. I recently saw the new Terminal 2 and it's beautiful - now it's green too. This sets a great example for other airports in the Northeast region.
Smart move! Our local bodies should also take inspiration from this. The airports use so much water for cooling towers and cleaning, so every drop collected helps. I just wish they'd also look into solar energy to complete the green picture. Still, impressive work!
Excellent sustainable practice! Many airports in the West are also adopting similar systems, but it's refreshing to see Indian airports leading on environmental initiatives. With monsoon rains, this could really offset their external water needs. I hope they continue to expand the capacity and share results with the public.
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