15 June,2026 10:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
Arreater installed on all the taps to reduce water force
For most people, water conservation is a topic of discussion, but for Pravin Ladkat, a retired engineer and former head of the Water Supply Department of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), it has been a way of life. Known for solving complex water supply issues during his service, Ladkat continues to practise the same principles at his Walhekarwadi, Pune, home in Sector 32. Spread across a 1350 sq ft plot, the house features a garden sustained through water-saving techniques developed by him.
Around 15 years ago, the family installed aerators - small devices fitted to taps that mix air with water to reduce flow - on all taps to reduce water flow without affecting usability.
"A lot of water gets wasted because of high pressure from taps. By simply reducing the flow, a significant amount can be saved," Ladkat told mid-day. The low-cost intervention helps conserve nearly 13 litres of water daily.
Ladkat also developed a greywater recycling system at home. Every bathroom in the house has been equipped with a dual-drainage arrangement. One outlet is connected to the regular sewage line, while another directs relatively clean bathwater to a separate storage tank through a dedicated pipeline.
"We created two separate traps in every bathroom. One functions like a normal drainage connection, while the other carries reusable water to a storage tank. A separate pipeline from the tank supplies water directly to the garden," he explained.
Adding further, he told this newspaper, "During bathing, we initially use fresh water and later apply soap. While the soap is being used, we switch to the regular drainage line so that chemical-containing water does not enter the storage tank. We have been following this system regularly for more than a decade". The arrangement helps recycle nearly 15 litres of water daily for gardening.
During his tenure, Ladkat regularly organised visits to the Nigdi Water Purification Centre for students, residents, media professionals and housing society representatives to promote water awareness. In one unique awareness initiative, Ladkat even invited domestic workers to the treatment facility. "Household maids often handle tasks such as washing utensils and clothes, where water wastage can occur unknowingly. We wanted them to understand the value of treated water and the importance of using it carefully," he recalled. He also guided societies on water management and was among the pioneers of the Jaldindi movement for river conservation.
Even after retirement, he remains active in campaigns to protect the Pavana and Indrayani rivers. He believes infrastructure alone cannot solve water challenges unless citizens understand the value of every drop. His message is simple: conserving water does not require expensive technology - only awareness, discipline, better habits.
Thanks to structural initiatives and widespread awareness campaigns championed by leaders like Ladkat's, the PCMC received national recognition for its water awareness initiatives in 2012, and appreciation from international bodies, like American water sector.
