UltraTech strengthens water security in Himachal Pradesh schools through rainwater harvesting

Creates 40,000‑litre harvesting capacity, benefiting over 650 students in four government schools across Solan and Bilaspur

Baga Cement Works, an integrated manufacturing unit of UltraTech Cement Limited, has strengthened water security for over 650 students across four government schools in the Solan and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh through a rainwater harvesting initiative. The project has created a total harvesting capacity of approximately 40,000 litres, supporting improved water availability and enhancing sanitation and hygiene conditions in the schools.

District schools in the Solan and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh have long faced acute water shortages during the summer months due to low rainfall and limited access to reliable water supply systems. Even during the monsoon season, rainwater flows rapidly down the hilly terrain into nearby rivers, offering little opportunity for local capture, storage, or use, and leaving schools vulnerable to recurring water stress.

Recognising this persistent challenge, the UltraTech unit at Baga had been supporting school operations by supplying water during peak summer months as an interim measure. To move beyond short-term relief and create a more sustainable solution, the unit adopted one school in 2023 to pilot a rainwater harvesting programme. Following detailed site assessments and consultations with school authorities and local stakeholders, the initiative was implemented to capture and store monsoon runoff for future use. The pilot benefited around 130 students and created a rainwater harvesting capacity of 10,000 litres, demonstrating the effectiveness of the model and paving the way for larger-scale implementation across additional schools.

Building on the success of the pilot, the initiative was scaled up to three additional schools, extending its benefits to over 520 more students and adding 30,000 litres of rainwater harvesting capacity. The unit CSR team adopted a three‑tier approach for implementing the project — combining infrastructure development with behaviour‑change education and community engagement — to ensure long‑term sustainability. The rainwater harvesting systems were custom‑designed to suit the rooftop catchment areas of each school, maximising collection efficiency and effective utilisation of monsoon runoff.

Implemented in phases between FY2024 and FY2025, the initiative equipped each school with simple, durable rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, including cleaned catchment areas, gutter networks, first‑flush diverters, and above‑ground storage tanks of 10,000 litres per school. Designed without complex filtration or mechanical components, the systems require minimal maintenance and are easily managed by the schools at low cost. The harvested water is used for non‑drinking purposes such as sanitation, handwashing, and cleaning. To strengthen local ownership and long‑term sustainability, school authorities were empowered to oversee maintenance, supported by student committees responsible for monitoring the systems and promoting water stewardship.

As a result, the initiative has substantially reduced water shortages during peak summer months, leading to improved sanitation standards, better hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, and enhanced overall cleanliness across the schools. The intervention demonstrates how simple, low‑cost, and locally managed solutions can deliver lasting impact while strengthening climate resilience and water stewardship in resource‑constrained school communities.

This project reflects UltraTech’s continued commitment to sustainability and community development under the aegis of The Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, chaired by Mrs. Rajashree Birla. UltraTech’s CSR programmes focus on education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, community infrastructure, and social causes, reaching more than 1.8 million beneficiaries across 500 villages in 16 states in India.