Publication:

A study on water management strategies in a selected teaching hospital

Background Water is a scarce and highly valuable natural resource. Hospitals require relatively large quantity of water and quality of water is equally important. Hospitals must focus on water efficiency and conservation measures in order to ensure the sustainable use of water. This study was undertaken to understand the current water management practices in the selected teaching hospital and to develop strategies for water conservation.

Methods Descriptive study with observational method was used, to collect the data an observational checklist based on the guidelines of bureau of Indian standards (BIS) and world health organization (WHO) was developed. To observe and collect the data, uninformed visits was done to the Department of Maintenance on random days as per the convenience and the information was collected from standard operating procedures (SOPs) and records maintained in the department of maintenance and hospital infection control unit.

Results The study found that a well-planned water supply system is present in the selected hospital to meet the required quantity of water. The study reveals that the total consumption of water per day in the hospital is higher than the BIS standards. Preventive and corrective maintenance of all the tanks, pipelines, plumbing, and equipment is done regularly. A well-organized system of quality control of water is present in the hospital and the grey water, is drained to sewage water treatment plant from where the water is recycled and reused.

Conclusions Conservation of water enables hospitals to cut cost and to be proactive stewards of their community’s natural resources.