Water conservation turns into the current USP of Indian builders

#Builders#Buyers#Indian Real Estate#Real Estate News#Residential

3 min read • May 06, 2024

Water crisis from the rising summer heat has worsened to the extent that the reservoirs across cities are at their lowest in five years. In this scenario, the assurance of a steady water supply has turned out to be a major selling point for Indian builders. 99acres delves into the scenario of widespread water issues in Bangalore and other major cities and the response of the major developers to it.

By Ananya Halder Research Analyst

99acres.com

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When it comes to factors accountable for influencing real estate businesses, the emphasis is mostly on aspects such as bank rates, government policies, inflation and so on. The lesser-known and yet the most crucial external aspect in this regard are environmental factors. As the temperature is on the rise and the water level keeps falling, the significance of environmental factors is being felt even more acutely.

Amidst this scenario, the real estate developers are trying to minimise the harm caused to mother nature. That said, let’s take a closer look at the current water issues in Bangalore and other major cities and how conservation is now a selling point for major builders of the country.

Water as the selling point for builders: The current scenario

With the summer heatwave looming large over major cities, water stress has been escalating in tandem. As per media reports regarding water issues in Bangalore, the main reservoir in the tech city is down to 16 percent capacity. On the other hand, water reserves are at their lowest since 2019 for Chennai. In industrial states, such as Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the reserves are lower than their 10-year average.

Also read: A comprehensive account of Bangalore water crisis

Such heat waves resulting from climate change end up intensifying urban heat. The situation is particularly worrying in the areas with limited water resources and a dense population. The resultant productivity and health challenges are too grave for the country to handle.

In such a scenario, prospective homebuyers are seeking projects equipped to handle the rising water crisis in the times to come. As a response, the major property developers across the country are stepping up their water conservation measures. Well-known developers, such as Brigade Group, Prestige Group, Godrej Properties, Lodha Group and Mahindra Lifespace Developers, have already put several such measures into practice. With the big names in the business focusing on how to lessen environmental impact, the small and mid-sized builders are also following suit.

Way out of water crisis: The steps taken by builders

Integration of green spaces and passive designs into the planning process can lead to mitigation of heat while enhancing water and energy conservation. Such proactive approaches help to uphold sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change, thereby safeguarding the well-being of citizens.

Keeping this in mind, certain eco-friendly practices have become common in most large-scale projects. Let’s take a closer look at some of those practices:

Popular water conservation features are noticeable in most new housing societies. These include smart water management systems, rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures and decentralised water treatment systems.
The big names in the business are coming up with distinct strategies to improve resilience in their present and future projects. For instance, Lodha Group has started conducting a climate risk evaluation for its focus areas. As such, it is projecting future impacts related to floods and heat stress until 2100.
Owing to the water issues in Bangalore, Prestige Group claims to have adapted design innovations and rainwater harvesting techniques to offset future threats.
Mahindra Lifespace Developers emphasises its focus on sustainable urbanisation. Its eco-friendly townships practice water management through wastewater treatment plants.

Additionally, the big names in the business are coming up with distinct strategies to improve resilience in their present and future projects. For instance, Lodha Group has started conducting a climate risk evaluation for its focus areas, wherein it is projecting future impacts related to floods and heat stress until 2100. On the other hand, owing to the water issues in Bangalore, Prestige Group claims to have adapted design innovations and rainwater harvesting techniques to offset such future threats. Mahindra Lifespace Developers emphasises its focus on sustainable urbanisation, whereby its eco-friendly townships practice water management through wastewater treatment plants.

In a nutshell, the builders are now actively engaged with stakeholders to promote awareness regarding water conservation through community outreach initiatives and educational programs. By offering resources for sustainable living and encouraging buyers to embrace water-saving practices, developers are also aiming to address water issues in Bangalore, Chennai and other cities. With such broader efforts put into motion, a culture of conservation is promoted wherein the builders, buyers and stakeholders come together to do their bit for the planet.