Water Consumption Tracking and Sustainability

Water Consumption Tracking and Sustainability at JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER)

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) is dedicated to sustainable water management practices. Recognizing the importance of conserving water amid increasing global scarcity, especially during peak seasons, JSS AHER implements an integrated approach to water resource management. This page details our water tracking, extensive storage solutions, rainwater harvesting initiatives, recycling efforts, and our proactive maintenance strategies.


Water Consumption Tracking: Ensuring Efficient Usage

Advanced Metering Systems

JSS AHER uses advanced metering systems across its campuses. These meters are installed at key points, including municipal supply entries, borewells, and storage tanks, to measure water inflow and outflow. Real-time data allows us to identify areas of high consumption, enabling immediate interventions to optimize usage and prevent waste.

Water Metering System at JSS AHER, Mysuru

Routine Water Audits

As part of our green audit initiatives, JSS AHER conducts routine water audits across all facilities. These audits track water usage in academic buildings, hostels, laboratories, clinics, gardens, and cafeterias, providing insights into usage patterns and enabling us to continuously enhance efficiency.

Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance

A dedicated maintenance team monitors our water systems, including storage tanks, pipelines, and treatment units, to detect and repair issues like leaks or overflows promptly. This proactive approach ensures a sustainable and reliable water supply.

Campus-Wide Water Consumption Overview

Campus Location Daily Water Consumption (Liters) Metering System Installed Real-Time Data Collection
Academic Buildings 225,000 Yes Yes
Hostels 390,000 Yes Yes
Clinics and Laboratories 130,000 Yes Yes
Gardens and Cafeterias 83,000 Yes Yes
Total 828,000 -- --

Our Dedicated Maintenance Team

Team Composition and Responsibilities

JSS AHER’s maintenance team includes a residential engineer, two junior engineers, and eleven water technicians and plumbers. This team is responsible for overseeing water tracking, responding to issues, and performing repairs across all campuses. Their dedicated work ensures that JSS AHER maintains consistent water supply, rapid leak repair, and effective conservation efforts.

Team Composition and Responsibilities

JSS AHER’s maintenance team includes a residential engineer, two junior engineers, and eleven water technicians and plumbers. This team is responsible for overseeing water tracking, responding to issues, and performing repairs across all campuses. Their dedicated work ensures that JSS AHER maintains consistent water supply, rapid leak repair, and effective conservation efforts.

Designation Number of Staff Key Responsibilities
Residential Engineer 1 Oversees water management and infrastructure
Junior Engineers 2 Supports maintenance and metering checks
Water Technicians 11 Conducts regular inspections, repairs leaks

Water Storage Systems: Ensuring Reliable Supply

JSS AHER has established a robust storage system with overhead tanks, underground sumps, and rust-resistant sub-overhead tanks. This extensive network provides storage for daily consumption, as well as collected rainwater and recycled water.

Campus Total Storage Capacity (Liters) Daily Usage (Liters) Rainwater Collection Capacity (Liters) Recycled Water Usage (Liters)
JSS Medical Institution Campus 940,000 655,000 16,000 80,000
JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru 200,000 165,000 -- 40,000
JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty 100,000 61,000 -- 500
Off-Campus Buildings 61,000 -- 24,000 --
School of Life Sciences, Ooty 35,000 80,000 10,000 4,000
Total 1,336,000 828,000 50,000 124,500
      

Water Storage System at JSS AHER, Mysuru

Rainwater Harvesting and Water Recycling Initiatives

Rainwater Harvesting

JSS AHER has installed rainwater harvesting systems at strategic locations to collect runoff from rooftops and other surfaces. This collected water is stored in dedicated tanks and used across our facilities, reducing reliance on municipal water.

      

Rainwater Harvesting Initiatives at JSS AHER, Mysuru

Water Recycling

Waste water from various campus facilities undergoes treatment in specialized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and is then recycled for landscaping and garden irrigation, reducing fresh water demand and promoting a sustainable, self-sufficient water system. Approximately 75% of the treated water, referred to as reject water, is repurposed to maintain the campus greenery, enhancing our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Water Recycling Initiatives (Wastewater Treatment Units) at JSS AHER, Mysuru

Campus Location Rainwater Collection Capacity (Liters) Recycled Water Usage (Liters) Usage for Landscaping (Liters)
JSS Medical Institution Campus 16,000 80,000 80,000
JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru -- 40,000 40,000
JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty -- 500 500
Off-Campus Buildings 24,000 -- --
School of Life Sciences, Ooty 10,000 4,000 2,000
Total 50,000 124,500 122,500

Water Conservation Awareness Programs

Beyond infrastructural measures, JSS AHER fosters a culture of conservation through awareness programs. Workshops and campaigns encourage students, faculty, and staff to practice mindful water usage, promoting sustainable habits throughout our campus community.

Cauvery River Cleanup Drive

  • Date: May 2, 2024
  • Activity: Faculty and students collected over 120 kg of plastic waste from the riverbanks and conducted awareness campaigns on reducing single-use plastics.
  • Impact: Reinforced the importance of maintaining clean water sources for local communities.
      

Health Education on Waterborne Diseases prevention

Cholera prevention materials developed by the Department of Community Medicine are distributed across campus, emphasizing the importance of clean and safe water.

School Health Appraisal Program

Handwashing Techniques on Health Cards:

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JSS AHER’s Department of Community Medicine conducts an annual School Health Appraisal Program, impacting around 12,000-15,000 school and college students. During these sessions, students receive hygiene-focused health cards and practical guidance on hand hygiene, menstrual hygiene, and environmental care.

Visual Highlights:

Public Health Outreach Educational Programs:

  • A guest lecture on Environmental Sanitation and Safety by Dr. Sunitha Singh, Community Medicine, highlighted the importance of water and sanitation management at KSOU on August 18–19, 2023.
  • Panel discussions on Global Handwashing Day (October 16, 2023) with UNICEF and SIRD, featuring Dr. Anil Bilimale, emphasized clean water and hygiene practices.

Academic Activities Integrating SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Undergraduate Programs: Hands-On Learning Experiences

  • Water Purification Plant Visits: MBBS students observe large-scale purification, chlorination, and distribution processes at a local water purification center, gaining insights into municipal water management.
  • Public Health Laboratory Training: Students learn techniques to assess chlorine demand in water, utilize disinfectants for safe household water, and measure residual chlorine with a chloroscope.
  • Hand Hygiene Training: In our Microbiology Department, students receive practical training in hand-washing techniques, highlighting hand hygiene's role in infection prevention.
  • Biomedical Waste Management: Community Medicine and Microbiology programs cover safe disposal, segregation, transport, and treatment of biomedical waste to mitigate environmental impact.
  • Environmental Health Studies: Allied Health students complete an in-depth semester on environmental health, covering water purification, waste management, sewage treatment, and excreta disposal techniques.
    • Postgraduate Programs: Advanced Water and Sanitation Expertise

      Our postgraduate programs provide specialized training for future leaders in water quality and sanitation.

      • Water Surveillance Training: MD, MPH, and MSc Microbiology students receive advanced training on water quality assessment, fecal contamination detection, and chlorine demand management.
      • Outbreak Investigation: Students in Community Medicine and Public Health are trained to investigate waterborne disease outbreaks, including Typhoid and gastroenteritis cases.
      • Stool Examination Techniques: Postgraduate students learn critical stool examination techniques for detecting pathogens.
      • MTech in Health Science and Water Engineering: This program covers waterborne diseases and sanitation engineering, equipping students with expertise in water health sciences and engineering.

Water Quality Assurance Initiatives

Undergraduate Programs: Hands-On Learning Experiences

  1. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Water Quality Testing
    • The Department of Community Medicine has developed an SOP for regular water testing, ensuring adequate chlorination and safety across hostels, guest houses, and other campus facilities.
    • Measures are implemented to address inadequate chlorination when detected.
  2. Research on Water Quality and Health
    • Ongoing Study: "Evaluation and Comparison of Serum Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, Alkaline Phosphatase, Vitamin D, and Bone Mineral Density in Children Consuming RO, Non-RO, and High Fluoride Drinking Water," led by Dr. Devananda D., Pediatrics, JSSMC, in collaboration with JSS Dental College and funded by ICMR (₹20.41 lakh). This research highlights the impact of drinking water quality on children's health.
  3. Health Education Materials
    • Educational resources on waterborne diseases, such as cholera, have been developed and displayed across campus, emphasizing preventive measures.

Educational Programs Supporting Water Sustainability

  1. Undergraduate and Postgraduate Training
    • Foundation Course for MBBS Students: Sessions on "Patient Safety and Biohazard Safety," including water safety and biowaste management.
    • Hands-on training in public health laboratories for water purification, residual chlorine measurement, and outbreak investigation of waterborne diseases.
  2. Knowledge Dissemination:
    • Educational programs include modules on environmental health and sanitation engineering, equipping students with the skills to address urban water management challenges.
    • A copyrighted Hand Hygiene Poem by Dr. Sumana M.N., Department of Microbiology, fosters awareness of hygiene and water safety.

Collaboration and Capacity Building

  1. Research Collaborations:
    • The School of Public Health partners with GRAAM to address urban health and sanitation challenges. Seven MPH students annually receive fellowships to build capacity in urban governance and sanitation.
  2. Interdisciplinary Projects:
    • Collaborative projects between JSS Medical College, JSS Dental College, and ICMR, such as the ongoing study on water quality's impact on child health, strengthen water-related research and policies.

Conclusion: A Model for Sustainable Water Management

JSS AHER exemplifies how an academic institution can integrate comprehensive water usage monitoring with impactful research and community outreach. Through real-time audits, quality assurance measures, and interdisciplinary initiatives, the university ensures efficient and sustainable water management. These efforts align with global goals for clean water and sanitation, reaffirming JSS AHER’s commitment to environmental responsibility and public health.