Water conservation by Industry – A case study of Mahindra and Mahindra, Zaheerabad

The presentation deals with Mahindra and Mahindra’s (M&M) work on optimal utilization of groundwater resources in its vehicle manufacturing plant at Zaheerabad, Andhra Pradesh. M&M had taken help from ICRISAT and Groundwater Department of GoAP to study the hydro-geology and topography of the estate and prepare ground water maps.

A time bound master plan of water augmentation was worked out to undertake activities like rainwater harvesting pits, new locations for borewells/ openwells/ percolation tanks, planting of less water intensive trees, re-usage and re-cycling of wastewater, rainwater channels to recharge the under ground water reservoirs and installation of drip irrigation.

M&M has also undertaken work on recycling of effluent plant and installation of bio-filtration plant and drip irrigation systems.

This work won the CII-GBC national award for excellence in water management for the year 2009, in the within the fence category.