I firmly believe that India is a land which has been cradled by rivers. We have grown up along the banks of rivers, whether it be Ganga or Kaveri. This is why our culture carries significant reverence for water. Stepwells and baolis are examples of architecture turned into were built by our ancestors, turning architecture into reservoirs. Today, since big cities are bound by the shackles of the current water crisis, this ancient spirit is finally returning in the form of water positive properties: which promise homes that do not exploit water, a priceless resource provided to us by the Earth.
If you think about it, every region had its own water wisdom. Rajasthan had johads, kunds and tankas which stored the much needed rainwater for the arid region. The South of India had Pushkarinis or temple tanks which were known to replenish groundwater. The Ahar Pyne system in Bihar shows how communities used gravity based irrigation and natural slopes to direct water without machines. Now not only are these examples of great engineering but they also show how water as a resource was looked upon as something sacred.
What is Agri-Irrigation?
Agri-irrigation, in simple words can be defined as an application of water by humans to supplement for rain and meeting the needs of the crops
So instead of flooding fields with excess water, farmers can use techniques such as:
Trickle irrigation : It is a method in which crops are exposed to water directly to the roots slowly, saving a lot of water and preventing agricultural runoff
Sprinklers : In this method, water is sprayed in the air to create an artificial rain-like effect, ensuring that water is spread evenly on the ground.
Soil moisture sensors : it is a device which helps in measuring how much water is retained by the soil, preventing over and underwatering.
When the same is applied to cities, lawns are drip-irrigated, soil sensors prevent overwatering, and rainwater harvesting is integrated with recharge systems. Every building can recycle, recharge, and redistribute water.
But it is important for us to know what exactly makes a property “water positive”? Water positive homes, unlike conventional buildings which waste more water than they restore, are designed to give back. Whether it is water from the rain or from municipal supply, every drop that enters the property is measured, treated and reintroduced to the natural cycle, carefully. The idea here is to actively replenish groundwater, support biodiversity and to create a system which benefits the residents and even the surrounding communities, and not just use less water.
If you look back at our history and architecture, you can tell that India has always known to live water-positively. Ancient communities designed spaces where water was harvested and shared, where people knew its worth. By blending IoT-based sensors and climate-resilient irrigation with these timeless systems, we not only get water positive properties which are sustainable, but also deeply Indian.
The phad system in Maharashtra reflected this interdependence, where farmers managed canals together, taking only what their own land required. Even Kuhls in Himachal, where water was distributed through warabandi which is like a community rotation system. This ensured fairness and also minimised wastage of water.
In a few years, the global demand for water will exceed its supply by almost 40% and this is a looming crisis for urban India and Water-positive properties offer us with a hopeful alternative.Even a single mid sized housing project could recharge enough groundwater to support many of its neighbours if designed water positively, flipping the narrative from individual consumption to community resilience.
There are many Indian cities where conflicts over tankers and unequal access to water is as common as an afternoon nap so if large residential projects take up the responsibility to become water positive, water becomes a shared resource, a fundamental right not just on paper but on the ground. Therefore, living in or owning such a property becomes a civic contribution to the society.
The advantages of these properties are economically significant too as they ensure long term water security, commanding a higher real estate value, lowering maintenance costs in the long run, and attracting investors in this process. Farmers who are turning to agri-irrigation methods boost their yields while conserving 50 to 70% of water already, when such design principles are applied to urban planning, savings escalate automatically.
Luxury is no longer confined to big pools and marble flooring, today water security has emerged to be the biggest luxury of the 21st century. Properties which promise water abundance are today’s gold standard of urban living. Meaning, the future of urban life cannot just be smart, it has to be water smart.
– By Shubhanshi Chakraborty, Sustainability Expert and a Young Author
