Established in October 2023, the Karnataka Water Initiative (KWI) aims to tackle the problems of water conservation and encourage socially equitable urban planning practices. The project utilizes infrastructural interventions such as improved access to water recycling plants to improve availability of drinking water among underserved communities in semi-urban areas. In addition, with the use of accessible educational resources, KWI aims to foster greater awareness regarding water conservation and encourage the implementation of simple conservation practices within homes and communities. Ultimately, through these
interventions, KWI aspires to promote innovative and socially conscious approaches to ensure clean drinking water access within the urban ecosystems.
The ‘Home Water Rules’ handbook is conceptualized to equip communities with the information needed to implement sustainability within their homes, and focuses on low-cost water conservation practices that are designed keeping cultural context in mind. Through this resource, KWI aspires to create a tangible impact in the lifestyle and water conservation practices followed by low-income communities. Further, KWI utilizes an interview series to highlight the efforts of relevant stakeholders such as municipal engineers, and green technology advocates to raise awareness about the significance of timely water conservation. To supplement these educational efforts with on-ground action, the ‘1,000,000 Gallons Project’ will focus on collaboration with local NGOs to improve the use of waste-water treatment services, and consequently the availability of safe drinking water. Finally, KWI will organize an online fundraiser to meet these operational costs and support initiatives to improve water conservation.