Guwahati, Aug 13: Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport has strengthened its rainwater harvesting and reuse system as part of its continued efforts to conserve water and promote sustainable airport operations.
Pic Credit: Pexel
At the newly built Terminal 2, harvested rainwater met around 28 per cent of the total water consumption in July, highlighting the growing role of rainwater in meeting the airport’s operational requirements.
The initiative is part of the airport’s broader sustainability programme, which aims to improve water conservation and move towards becoming a water-positive airport through efficient collection, treatment and reuse of rainwater.
Guwahati receives substantial rainfall, averaging around 1,800–2,200 mm annually. The airport has recorded approximately 1,320 mm of rainfall up to August 9 this year, providing significant scope for rainwater collection.
The airport operates two rainwater storage tanks with a combined capacity of 1,000 kilolitres. Rainwater collected from the airport premises is treated at the Water Treatment Plant before being reused for various operational requirements, including equipment cleaning, cooling tower make-up water and drinking-water facilities.
Water intended for potable use undergoes multi-stage treatment and purification to ensure that it meets prescribed drinking-water quality standards.
The system provides the airport with an additional source of water while helping reduce dependence on conventional external supplies. This is particularly important as passenger numbers increase and airport infrastructure continues to expand.
The programme is supported by coordination among the airport’s engineering and maintenance, environment and sustainability, operations and project teams. Their integrated approach enables rainwater to be collected, treated and efficiently distributed for multiple uses.
Water is an essential resource for airport operations, supporting passenger facilities, sanitation, maintenance, cleaning and cooling systems. Greater use of harvested rainwater can help reduce pressure on conventional water sources and improve overall resource efficiency.
The strengthened system represents another step in LGBI Airport’s efforts to integrate water conservation, environmental responsibility and sustainable infrastructure into its operations, while preparing for the growing water requirements of Guwahati’s expanding aviation sector.