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This study explores the routes through which airports can become water positive a condition in which water use is matched or outweighed by water conservation, reuse, and recharge by integrating technical, spatial, and policy strategies. Airports are essential but underexamined hubs of water use, generally situated in water-scarce urban areas. The research started with a comprehensive water audit of a large airport, determining major areas of water demand and the potential for improvements in operational efficiency. Some short- and medium-term measures were recommended to minimize water usage in domestic, cooling, maintenance, and landscaping activities. Outside the airport grounds, the boundary watershed was demarcated by employing geospatial technologies to interpret the local hydrology and recharge processes. The watershed was revealed to be stressed but held significant potential for renewal through landscape-scale strategies such as rainwater collection, enhanced irrigation efficiency, aquifer recharge, and waterbody restoration. These interventions could improve both site-scale and regional water sustainability. A third tier of the study assessed applicable national and global frameworks, standards, and guidelines for water use, stewardship, and reporting. While there are many tools that cover aspects of water sustainability, none are airport-specific. Therefore, the research suggests a hybrid framework that captures water efficiency, watershed involvement, community involvement, and environmental reporting. This study presents a comprehensive vision for managing water in massive infrastructure systems, promoting integrated resource planning based on the operational footprint and the natural context. It contributes to the new literature on sustainable infrastructure, offering practical advice for airport planners, environmental regulators, and policymakers seeking to maximize water security and climate resilience in the vital urban assets.
Keywords: Water Positivity, Airport Water Management, Watershed Sustainability, Environmental Governance, Sustainable Infrastructure.
