Climate-resilient WASH infrastructure (India)

The ever-expanding urban fabric of the city has consumed Chennai’s natural and hydraulic water infrastructure. This expansion accompanied by excessive groundwater pumping and surface water sourcing resulted in various environmental and social problems. To understand this, a desk-based study examined various classes of literature and data on development and water. This was accompanied by household surveys consisting of critical interviews & focused group discussions to understand the water footprint and resilient practices adopted by the inhabitants. As per the research, the inhabitants of the front-line community, especially the fishermen communities along the coast are affected by the situation of water vs development, depending on multiple sources without basic reliability, thereby lacking any water security. The research envisions a future where blue infrastructure is preserved in a similar demeanour rare wildlife, for a sustainable future.