At a time when waterlogging and flooding are being witnessed in various regions during the ongoing monsoon, water conservation may not be a popular topic at present.
However, as witnessed annually, the abundance of monsoon is followed by months which witness intermittent shortages of water and issues in its supply. Not considering water conservation to be solely a governmental concern, resident volunteers of condominium The Laburnum with 260 residential units in Gurugram have been actively initiating and participating in various efforts to address pressing ecological challenges — chief among them being water conservation — for some years now.
In the recent past, a group of dedicated resident volunteers came together once again to organise a series of impactful water conservation activities within the community. These initiatives were designed not only to promote the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle, but also to engage residents of all ages in meaningful ways.
Water conservation awareness sessions to educate residents on water conservation methods and practical actions they can take; creative engagement for children to inspire the youngsters and infrastructure enhancements like the maintenance and development of water harvesting pits to improve rainwater collection and also simple yet effective plumbing interventions were part of this effort.
Resident volunteer Vijay Pahwa said that The Laburnum “Water Yoddhas” successfully completed the first part of the community’s water conservation initiatives planned for summer 2025.
Led by a team of 14 dedicated resident volunteers and supported by several well-wishers, this initiative reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and mindful living.
Over a span of five days, the water conservation team organised a series of activities aimed at raising awareness of the water crisis-especially as it affects Gurugram-and equipping participants with simple, practical ways to reduce water usage in daily life.
These efforts reached 290+ individuals across eight sessions, largely covering active users of water including domestic helpers, horticulture and housekeeping staff, security guards, vendor personnel, and ARWA maintenance staff. He said that together, the residents of Laburnum are proving to be trailblazers in community-led sustainability.
These efforts are more than just educational-they are the foundation for long-term behavioural change. Further, a painting competition themed around water conservation was also held for children in order to encourage the habit of conservation in the youngsters.
Pahwa further informed that as part of infrastructural enhancement, installation of water-efficient fixtures like tap aerators and dual-flush systems are being prioritised for installation in all common area toilets.
These are the simplest yet highly effective tools that help save water daily up to 75 per cent. Residents are also being encouraged to install these fixtures in their servant quarters. Further, all existing water harvesting pits were serviced for effective functioning in the rainy season. Educational and visual reinforcement tools to complement these infrastructure upgrades- simple bilingual (Hindi and English) infographic posters will be placed in shared bathrooms and car wash areas. These will serve as constant reminders of the importance of water-saving habits and the functionality of installed systems. Orientation support for new residents and staff is being facilitated and a pre-recorded water conservation session is being prepared that will be a mandatory part of the orientation process for all domestic staff before their gate passes are issued. By combining smart design, simple retrofits, and effective communication, the community is laying a strong foundation for sustainable water management at a time when the necessity of water conservation is being acknowledged as a global issue.
