Visakhapatnam: The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation announced the winners of the 5th National Water Awards 2023, recognizing outstanding contributions to water conservation across India.

Andhra Pradesh stood out among the 38 winners across nine categories, securing top honors for its innovative water management efforts.

Visakhapatnam District’s Remarkable Achievement
In the Best District category, Visakhapatnam claimed 5th place for its proactive water management under the Amrit Sarovar scheme. The district renovated 33 water bodies and restored approximately 2,400 artificial recharge structures, conserving 87.74 kiloliters (KL) of water. Additionally, the restoration of 336 meters of the Sarada River's banks benefited 20,600 people and protected 35,000 acres of floodplains.

Hampapuram Panchayat's Conservation Excellence  
Hampapuram, from Anantapur district, secured joint third place in the Best Panchayat category. The Panchayat developed 78 water conservation structures, such as mini percolation tanks and check dams, with a water storage capacity of 2.60 lakh KL. Desilting a check dam and renovating 15 gabion check dams added another 0.27 lakh KL of capacity. They also built an Amrit Sarovar with a 10,000 cubic meter holding capacity.

Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation’s Impactful Initiatives  
In the Best Institution (Other Than School/College) category, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation in Guntur took second place. The institution constructed 28 rainwater harvesting pits, collecting 3,800 cubic meters of water annually, while additional measures harvested 1,700 cubic meters. With 2,360 cubic meters of water stored in underground sumps, the foundation boasts near-total rainwater utilization on its campus. Eco-friendly practices like dual plumbing and drip irrigation reduced landscape water use by 42%, and advanced sewage treatment plants (STPs) recycle 51% of water for reuse.

IIT Tirupati’s Special Mention for Water Innovation  
IIT Tirupati received a Special Mention for its forward-thinking water management solutions. The institute constructed two large ponds with a storage capacity of 8.37 crore liters to capture peak rainfall. Over 5,200 native trees were planted, and three STPs process 700 kiloliters of treated water per day, which is reused for landscaping and irrigation.

Andhra Pradesh’s innovative approach to water conservation sets an inspiring example, showcasing the state's commitment to sustainable water management.

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