Research on bank filtration in India

India is the country with the highest groundwater consumption in the world, with an annual consumption of around 230 cubic kilometres mainly used for agricultural irrigation and drinking water production. Increased bank filtration could help conserve this valuable resource. At the international conference ‘4th Roorkee Water Conclave’, which took place from 23 to 25 February 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Roorkee, India, Dr Hilmar Börnick, a research associate at the Institute of Water Chemistry, presented the results of studies on the behaviour of organic trace substances in bank filtration in India and other countries. Dr Börnick also gave a presentation at the SPARC-GIANT Special Session on the Water-Food Nexus and Managed Aquifer Recharge, as well as a lecture as part of the continuing education course for students and doctoral candidates at IIT Roorkee. He also took part in a field trip to existing and under-construction RBF wells in Haridwar. On the sidelines of these events, intensive discussions and talks were held with colleagues from India and other countries, primarily focusing on the importance of bank filtration for improving the supply of drinking water and eliminating organic trace substances. These activities helped to strengthen the partnership with key Indian research institutions, such as IIT and NHI Roorkee, and develop joint research initiatives for the future.

These multifaceted activities in India were enabled by the Saxon Science Ambassador Programme (funded by TU Dresden in collaboration with the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism).