Turning Waterlogging into Water Security

How Sujalaam Enabled a 32-Acre Industrial Expansion in Changodhar, Ahmedabad-Gujarat

When Changodar — an emerging industrial hub near Bavla — was chosen for a 32-acre mega plant expansion, it marked a bold and strategic step forward for Transformers & Rectifiers Ltd.

What appeared promising on paper soon revealed a significant on-ground challenge.

The Problem: When Land Holds Water

The site, located within the Kerela GIDC belt, had clay-dominant soil with very low permeability — meaning water could neither percolate nor drain out naturally.

During monsoons, rainwater accumulated and remained on site for months, keeping the ground continuously saturated. The issue was not the volume of rainfall, but the ground’s inability to absorb or release water. 

This created direct challenges for civil construction:

• Excavations could not be maintained due to constant water ingress

• Soil conditions remained unstable for foundation work

• Temporary dewatering provided no lasting solution​

As a result, foundation execution and further construction became unfeasible until the water was managed effectively.

The Challenge: Not Just Drainage, But Responsibility

The mandate wasn’t simple water disposal. Client required a solution that would:

• Eliminate waterlogging effectively

• Utilize water, not waste it

• Be cost-efficient

• Be environmentally sustainable

• Ensure scientific filtration before aquifer recharge

This is where Sujalaam Sustainability LLP stepped in.

The Approach: Science-Driven Groundwater Recharge

Instead of treating water as a problem, the approach reframed it as a resource to be managed.

Step 1: Hydrogeological Understanding

A focused site assessment evaluated soil behavior, subsurface strata, runoff patterns, and groundwater recharge feasibility, to be supported by downhole electro-logging and sieve analysis to accurately identify aquifer zones and permeability.

Step 2: Pilot Recharge Well

A pilot recharge well was drilled up to 186 meters, followed by electro-logging and sieve analysis to understand subsurface conditions.

Step 3: Optimized Engineering Decision

The analysis revealed that beyond 135 meters, permeability reduced significantly. Rather than over-designing, the system was optimized:

• Final recharge depth fixed at 135 meters

• Designed for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness

Step 4: Full-Scale Implementation

• 4 additional recharge wells developed

• Scientific filtration systems installed

• Controlled recharge into deep aquifers enabled

• All the recharge data in one portal digitally available with live time data sync.

The Transformation: From Stagnation to Flow

At Changodar, the response was not to work around them — but to work with them, scientifically. Once operational, the system enabled TR to:

• Sustainably pump out 2 crore litres (20 million litres) of stagnant water in just 2 months 

• Recharge water directly into deep aquifers

• Maintain an average recharge rate of 30,000 litres per hour

The impact was immediate and measurable:

• Construction resumed smoothly

• Waterlogging was eliminated

• Rainwater became a long-term asset

The Bigger Impact: Beyond the Project

This was not just a drainage solution. It reflected a shift in approach:

• From water disposal → to water management

• From constraint → to resource

• From delay → to resilience

The system continues to function, contributing to groundwater recharge and long-term site sustainability. 

When engineered correctly, even challenging ground conditions can support sustainable growth.