Power distribution company Adani Transmission Limited (ATL) has been certified ‘water positive’ by DNV Business Assurance India Private Limited (DNV).
The certification was based on a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the water balance index conducted in August-November 2022 at 30 ATL substations and transmission line clusters across India.
Water balance is ‘the difference between water credit and water debit’. Water credit is defined as the summation of estimated/metered volume of harvested rainwater or groundwater recharge quantities by the company, which replaces the intake of estimated freshwater through an alternative water source approach. Water debit is the volume of estimated/metered freshwater intake at the substations and transmission lines.
Based on the assessment of the water balance index, the total water credits of 49,766.86 m3 against the water debit of 46,894.38 m3 resulted in a water balance of 1.06 m3(positive).
The assessment was mainly done through sample-based checks, the methodology, measurement techniques, estimation methods, assumptions and uncertainties involved in the process of water accounting as adopted by Adani Transmission.
A statement released by Adani Group read: “The DNV also performed a desk review of the water balance details and quantification methodology at various sites and rainwater harvesting structures, such as rainwater recharge pits and storage ponds at these sites. Onsite verification of water credit structures was performed at Akola and Koradi."
According to the statement, ATL identifies water stewardship as a key material issue. Water stewardship is the use of water in a socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial manner.
ATL stated: “Water Positivity achievement has strengthened ATL’s commitment towards our alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all).”
ATL has a cumulative transmission network of around 18,795 ckm (circuit kilometres), out of which about 15,003 ckm is operational and the rest is in various stages of construction.