KL Deemed to be University has emerged as the Winner in the “Water Stewardship” category at the 1st Edition of the CII–SR Industrial Climate Action Competition, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry – Southern Region (CII–SR). The recognition was conferred during the 2nd Edition of the Energy Transition Summit, held on 30 January 2026 in Chennai, honouring institutions demonstrating measurable impact in climate action and sustainability.
The award was received by Commander Gurumoorthy Gangadharan, Senior Director – Planning & Development, and Dr. Kanneganti Jyothishya Brahma Chari, Associate Dean – Planning & Development, KLEF, at the summit’s prize distribution ceremony.
KLEF was recognised for its integrated, technology-driven water stewardship model, built on the 4R framework of Reduce, Recharge, Recycle, and Reuse. The campus operates a 2,180 KLD wastewater recycling system, meeting over 54 percent of its water demand, supported by advanced sewage treatment technologies such as MBBR and ARBiT, which have improved water recovery efficiency from 53 percent to 74 percent. Groundwater sustainability is further enhanced through 32 rainwater harvesting pits with a recharge capacity of approximately 3.7 lakh litres per day. These initiatives, combined with real-time water monitoring and efficient irrigation systems, have led to a 54 percent reduction in building water consumption, 42 percent savings in landscape irrigation, and the maintenance of a green cover exceeding 10.6 lakh square feet.
The recognition followed a rigorous evaluation process that assessed innovation, strategic alignment, measurable environmental impact, implementation effectiveness, and scalability potential.
Commenting on the achievement, Er. Koneru Satyanarayana, President, KL Deemed to be University, said, “At KL, sustainability is embedded in the way we plan and operate our campuses. Water stewardship is central to our vision of future-ready education, where environmental responsibility and academic excellence progress together. This recognition reinforces our commitment to building resilient, self-sustaining campuses that serve as models of responsible development.”
The honour adds to KL Deemed to be University’s strong record of national recognition for environmental leadership, with awards from bodies such as the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Water Digest, CII–SR, and AICTE. With multiple accolades from leading national and international organisations, the University continues to set benchmarks in sustainable and climate-resilient campus development.
