- 29th Indian Plumbing Conference in Ahmedabad to Focus on Achieving Net Zero Water in Built Environment
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel will be the chief guest while MoS for MSMEs Jagdish Vishwakarma will be the guest of honour
- Gujarat Government has introduced ‘water credit,’ the first of its initiative in the country
- The flagship annual event of IPA is scheduled to be held from December 21st to 23rd, 2023, at the YMCA International Centre in Ahmedabad
- 5 Rs (Respect, Reduce, Recharge, Recycle & Reuse) in water management has to be inculcated among us
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, DEC 7
Stating that the country has 18 percent of the world’s population or 1.43 billion, but only 4 percent of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed in the world, the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) is hosting the 29th Indian Plumbing Conference in Ahmedabad to Focus on Achieving Net Zero Water in Built Environment, said Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association.
Arora stated: “The 29th Indian Plumbing Conference in Ahmedabad is a testament to Indian Plumbing Association’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the plumbing industry. IPA remains dedicated to promoting excellence, redefining plumbing standards, and ensuring that our professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable and resilient future.”
“With India having the largest population globally and only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources, coupled with being the largest extractor of groundwater, the need for reevaluating building strategies for sustainability and water conservation is paramount. The focus is on achieving Net Zero Water in the Built Environment through water circularity or neutrality. A large number of Indians face high to extreme water stress. Groundwater is one of the most important sources for irrigation as well as for rural and urban domestic water supply. However, overexploitation of this valuable resource has led to its fast depletion. To address this issue Gujarat Government has introduced ‘water credit,’ the first of its initiative in the country. ‘Jal to kal hai – Jal bachao, kal bachao’ (Water is life for mankind. In order to see our tomorrow we need to conserve water),” added Arora.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel will be the chief guest while MoS for MSMEs Jagdish Vishwakarma will be the guest of honour.
The theme for the 29th Indian Plumbing Conference is “Net Zero Water in the Built Environment,” focusing on critical issues related to water conservation and sustainability for achieving a circular water economy in the construction sector.
IPA Ahmedabad Chapter president Minesh Shah said, “In our country some metros have started supplying 24×7 water supply after installing water meters. In Ahmedabad, the civic body is supplying over 200 litres of water per head a day. This is more than sufficient but can be managed with 90 litres. We are working with all stakeholders like government, urban planners, realty sector and also imparting training to plumbers for using right type of taps, piping, flushing and other using systems.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to making India carbon neutral by 2070 highlights the urgency for sustainable practices. Buildings are responsible for 40% of carbon emissions. There are 4 major elements of achieving carbon neutrality viz. water, waste, energy, and carbon. Water is the chief component, and it plays a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality. The conference aims to explore the energy and water nexus, emphasizing that saving water results in energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.
Techniques such as rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, water-efficient sanitaryware and sanitary fittings as per IS 17650 Part 1 and Part 2 will be explored to which enable achieve efficient water use and treatment in Net Zero Water buildings, reducing the burden on external water. buildings, reducing the burden on external water sources. The conference will kickstart with a call for increased education and awareness on Net Zero Water, advocating for the installation of low-flow sanitaryware and fittings, rainwater harvesting, and the reclamation of all used water (grey and black) to establish a circular water loop.
The conference will feature speakers & panellists discussing crucial topics such as Making India Water Positive, Reclamation of Water in the Built Environment, Water Use Efficiency, Case Studies on Zero Liquid Discharge in Industries, and the importance of the 5 R’s (Respect, Reduce, Recharge, Recycle & Reuse) in water management. Dr. Bimal Patel, Director, HCP Design Planning & Management, renowned for designing iconic projects like Centra Vista, will be the Keynote Speaker in the Inaugural session.
Distinguished speakers and panellists
- Dr. Pawan Labhasetwar, Chief Scientist and Head, NEERI
- Alok Sikka, Chairman, Task Force, BWUE & Country Representative, IWMI
- Ashwini Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Govt. of Gujarat
- Avinash Mishra, Former Adviser, Niti Ayog
- Prof. V. Srinivas Chary, Centre Director and Professor, Administrative Staff College of India
- Dr. Sanjay Dahasahasra, Former Member Secretary, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran & Member CPHEEO
- Madhurima Madhav, Scientist D, Joint Director, BIS
- Dr. Rama Kant, Deputy Adviser, PHE, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- Ambassador Dr Deepak Vohra
The conference will conclude on December 23rd with the Indian Plumbing Professionals League (IPPL) 2023 Grand Finale, a knowledge-sharing and skill-enhancing competition.
