Guwahati, August 12: Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI Airport), Guwahati, is strengthening its water management infrastructure by scaling up rainwater harvesting and reuse as part of its sustainability strategy and objective of becoming a Water Positive airport.
With Guwahati receiving an estimated 1,800–2,200 mm of rainfall annually, rainwater represents a significant resource for the airport. The airport recorded approximately 1,320 mm of rainfall up to August 9 this year, providing substantial scope to convert seasonal rainfall into a dependable source for airport operations.
The initiative is built around two rainwater collection tanks with a combined storage capacity of 1,000 kilolitres (KL). Harvested water is processed through the airport’s Water Treatment Plant before being deployed for operational requirements, including drinking-water fountains, equipment cleaning and cooling-tower make-up water.
For potable use, the harvested water undergoes multi-stage treatment and purification to ensure compliance with applicable drinking-water quality standards.
The system has already delivered measurable savings in freshwater consumption. In July 2026, harvested rainwater accounted for approximately 28% of the total water consumed at the newly developed Terminal 2, highlighting the potential of rainwater reuse to reduce dependence on external water sources.
The airport’s approach integrates water collection, treatment and reuse across its operations through coordination between the Engineering & Maintenance, ESG, Operations and Projects teams.
Rainwater harvesting has also been incorporated into the airport’s broader storm-water management infrastructure. Environmental compliance documents for the terminal project indicate that the drainage system was designed to maximise rainwater harvesting, with excess runoff routed through silt and oil traps before disposal.
The initiative comes as LGBI Airport prepares to manage increasing passenger traffic and ongoing infrastructure development, making efficient water utilisation increasingly important to the airport’s long-term operating model.
According to the airport, the integrated rainwater harvesting and utilisation project is the first of its kind within the Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) network and could provide a model for adoption at other airports managed by the group. AAHL currently operates and develops multiple airports across India, including Guwahati.
LGBI Airport said the initiative forms part of its wider focus on resource efficiency, environmental stewardship and climate-resilient infrastructure, with water conservation positioned as an important component of its future airport development strategy.
