Since the early 20th century, local water sources, such as waterbodies and wells, have become inaccessible due to excessive extraction. After depleting the Ramgarh Dam in 1990, located 30km from the city, Jaipur heavily relies on the Bisalpur Dam 150km away. However, 20% of the total water demand remains unmet, and it is predicted that the city will lose this water source within two decades. Furthermore, improper and informal drainage and sewage systems contribute to flooding, causing a mix of rainwater, wastewater, and solid waste to inundate the city during monsoons.

Diverse water-related activities and usage patterns are observed across different income groups. There is an obvious wealth gap within the city. Higher-income families enjoy direct access to treated tap water, and have private toilets connected to the urban sewage system, whereas lower-income families obtain water from public street tanks supplied by the government or private entities, often at a cost.

In response to the dire water challenges, this project envisions alternative solutions to address the entire water lifecycle while enhancing the quality of public spaces through water infrastructures.The study area, comprising approximately 9000 households, experiences a 80% water loss during monsoon seasons due to impervious surfaces. Additionally, 48% of households lack access to treated water, and 83% are not connected to a closed drainage system.
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The intervention starts with building a water supply and disposal network to link households to the city water network. A series of water management strategies are proposed, including enhancements to existing structures and the construction of new ones. The entire water lifecycle—fresh water, domestic water use, waste water, and rainwater—is considered. Affordable and easily installable prefabricated modular structures are introduced for open spaces, with flexible dimensions to accommodate commercial and recreational activities.

Subsequently, two prototypical scenarios are tested in neighborhoods with various income levels. The focus differs based on the income level, with basic water infrastructure taking precedence in low-income neighborhoods and an integrated approach to water management and public spaces being more critical in medium-income neighborhoods. Once the prototypical water system is implemented in test sites, it can be replicated in other areas, tailoring the approach to the specific contexts of those locations.

Scenario 01: In a higher-income neighborhood comprising 100 households, it is possible for 56% of the water used for flushing public toilets to be sourced from collected rainwater.

Scenario 02: In a lower-income neighborhood comprising 80 households, it is possible for 22% of the water used for flushing public toilets to be sourced from collected rainwater.