Extinction of the Elixir of Life: Depletion of Groundwater Level In Chennai

Orientation: There has been a growing unease in depletion of ground water in Chennai due to the increase
industrial population, creating difficulties in day to day operation of hotels.
Research purpose: To list out the problems with regard to water scarcity faced hotels in and around the
areas of Chennai. Exhibit the practices and procedures followed by the hotels in overcome these problems.
Motivation for the study: Currently the city is facing a major water scarcity problem which is due to
climatic changes, over consumption of ground water supply, lack of water saving activities etc. Hotel
industries being a prime user of groundwater exerts a principal role in depleting the groundwater hereby has
the responsibility in rescheduling the water conserve practices.
Research design, approach and method: A qualitative and quantitative study has been done in twenty
three hotels located in and around Chennai with a well designed questionnaire as the research tool.
Findings: Presently no well planed practices or policies exist in water management at hotel industries. Still
many hotels have not implemented water conservation initiatives to save groundwater. Awareness has to be
created among the managements, employees and guest to minimise the water crisis.