About Standards Club - Hydrology
The Standards Club—Hydrology is a dedicated initiative under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) aimed at fostering knowledge, research, and implementation of high-quality standards in the field of hydrology. This club serves as a platform for students, researchers, and professionals to engage with standardization processes, learn from industry experts, and contribute to the advancement of national and international standards in water resources and hydrology.
The Standards Club – Hydrology comprises 39 active members, including:
• 7 Ph.D. students
• 32 M.Tech. students
The members actively participate in research, discussions, and workshops to enhance their understanding of standardization in hydrological practices.
• To promote awareness about BIS Standards in Hydrology.
• To engage students in the process of developing and implementing national standards.
• To facilitate research collaborations with BIS and industry experts in the field of water resources.
• To organize workshops, training programs, and discussions on hydrology-related standards.
The session commenced with a High Tea on the Hydrology Department Lawn, where faculty members, invited speakers, and participants engaged in informal discussions before the formal proceedings. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Deepak Khare, BIS Chair Professor & Dean (Finance & Planning), IIT Roorkee, Mrs. Madhurima Madhav, Scientist 'E' & Director (Civil Engineering), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Prof. Sumit Sen, Head of the Department of Hydrology, and Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Mentor of the BIS Standards Club. Prof. Ashutosh formally welcomed the distinguished speakers and participants, introducing the Standards Club and the objectives of the workshop. He emphasized the importance of standardization in water management and its role in promoting sustainability and efficiency in water resource utilization. Prof. Sumit Sen provided an overview of the Hydrology Department at IIT Roorkee, highlighting its contributions to hydrological research, climate change studies, and water resource sustainability. He discussed the department’s role in shaping policies and collaborating with national and international organizations to address global water challenges. Prof. Deepak Khare elaborated on the importance of BIS standards in ensuring water quality, conservation, and efficient management. He also shared the different initiatives taken by IIT Roorkee in collaboration with BIS. Following this, Mrs. Madhurima Madhav highlighted the key initiatives of BIS in water management and the role of research institutions in implementing standard practices for sustainable development.
Speaker’s short bio:
Mrs. Madhuima Madhav is currently serving as Director and Scientist ‘E’ at the National Institute of Training for Standardization, BIS. She graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from BIT Sindri, Dhanbad. She has previously worked with Central Road Research Institute and RITES Ltd. With over 22 years of experience, she has been instrumental in revising the National Building Code of India (as the joint Member Secretary of technical committee) and developing key standards in civil engineering, including sustainable housing, water-efficient plumbing, Soil and Foundation Engineering, and construction safety. She is also the nodal officer from BIS, responsible for coordinating activities with Standards Chair Professor for successful implementation of the MoU in Standardization between BIS with IIT Roorkee. Her leadership in technical training and policy formulation continues to shape the future of civil engineering and standardization in India.
Summary of the talk:
Mrs. Madhurima Madhav, Scientist 'E' & Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), talked on "Water Use Efficiency: Through National Standards on Water Efficient Plumbing Products." In her talk, she emphasized the growing water crisis and the need for sustainable water management through efficient plumbing solutions.
She began by providing an overview of BIS, explaining its role as the National Standards Body of India and its contributions to developing water efficiency regulations. She highlighted the importance of standardization in ensuring sustainable water use and discussed various challenges posed by rapid urbanization, increased water consumption, and sewage management.
The talk covered key aspects of water conservation strategies, focusing on optimizing water use without compromising hygiene, user satisfaction, or system performance. She discussed how gravity-based water distribution systems, commonly used in India, differ from the pressurized systems in developed countries and how this affects water efficiency measures. She introduced Pressure Compensating Aerators (PCA) and other water-saving retrofits like aerators, water-efficient showers, health faucets, and flushing systems, which can significantly reduce water wastage.
Speaker’s short bio: Prof. Deepak Khare is working as Professor (HAG) in the Department of Water Resources Development & Management, IIT Roorkee. He is also BIS Chair Professor and Dean Finance & Planning at Institute level. With over 39 years of experience, he has made remarkable contributions to rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and climate change impact on water resources. A recipient of multiple prestigious national awards, he has guided numerous Ph.D. scholars, published over 285 research papers, and played a key role in formulating water conservation standards. He has contributed as Principal Member for preparation of standard on “Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting-Guidelines” and on “Artificial Recharge to Ground Water-Guidelines” of Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi. In 2014, Prof. Khare has received OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD from IIT Roorkee.
Summary of the talk: Prof. Deepak Khare focused on the global water crisis, sustainability goals, and strategic approaches to water conservation and management.
He began by introducing the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in water management, discussing how industries play a crucial role in promoting water sustainability. He highlighted key statistics that reflect the impact of CSR initiatives in water conservation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in businesses and governance.
The discussion then shifted to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their integration with water resource management. He explained the three core aspects of sustainability—economic, environmental, and social—and how they must be balanced to ensure long-term water security. He further elaborated on global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and inefficient water use, which contribute to severe water scarcity problems worldwide.
He then addressed India’s water crisis, highlighting that India holds only 4% of the world’s renewable water resources while supporting nearly 18% of the global population. He presented key insights on groundwater depletion, urban water demand, and inefficient water management practices. He also introduced the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which promotes coordinated water management to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising ecosystem sustainability.
The session concluded with a discussion on practical solutions, where participants engaged in an interactive dialogue about real-life applications of water-efficient technologies, policy interventions, and future research directions.
The Head of the Department felicitated the speakers with a token of appreciation for their talks and efforts in promoting water management awareness and standardization initiatives.
At the end of the session, certificates were distributed to the core members of the BIS Standards Club, recognizing their contributions to the successful organization of the workshop.
Mentor and Workshop Coordinator
Mentor: Prof. Ashutosh Sharma
Assistant Professor,
Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee
Email:ashutosh.sharma@hy.iitr.ac.in Core group members: • Gopeshwar Sahu, PhD Student
• Geethika Moorthy, PhD Student
• Paridhi Gupta, M. Tech. Student