Located near Old Venkojipalem, JR Nagar in Visakhapatnam turned a modest apartment cluster into a pioneering water‑sustainability model by mandating rainwater harvesting (RWH) pits for every new building in 2010.

The initiative began with just three apartments and now spans more than 20 gated communities, each with 15–20 flats, alongside 16 individual houses—all equipped with RWH pits and roadside harvesting structures.

RWA president K.S.R. Murthy, a former scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography, cites the colony’s geography as a key advantage: a nearby hill funnels rainwater into the community, and nine strategically placed open‑space pits capture and recharge this runoff.

Joint secretary Ravi Raju notes that since moving to the colony in 1996, he has never needed a water tanker. The well now delivers water at a depth of about 80 feet, a testament to the long‑term RWH strategy.

The community also converted abandoned septic tanks into additional RWH units, chemically cleaning and repurposing them after the new drainage network was installed.

In 2023, JR Nagar received the “Best RWA in Water Management” award at the Water Digest World Water Awards, underscoring the success of its grassroots approach.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Visakhapatnam’s groundwater levels are falling, driving up tanker costs. JR Nagar’s example demonstrates how community‑level RWH can stabilize supply, reduce external dependence, and mitigate climate‑induced water stress.

“When adopted at the community level, rainwater harvesting can transform local water security and reduce reliance on external supply chains.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How deep and wide are the RWH pits?

A1: Pits are typically 6 feet deep and 3 feet wide, layered with gravel, sand, and stones for filtration.

Q2: Can other communities replicate this model?

A2: Yes—if local climate and topography are suitable, any community can adopt this practice.