India is grappling with a severe urban water crisis. Rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and population expansion are contributing to escalating water scarcity. Climate change also plays a significant role. The nation faces an urgent need for innovative solutions. A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) highlights the potential of wastewater reuse. It could offer a sustainable solution to address this crisis. Additionally, it could promote water circularity.
At present, only 28% of urban wastewater in India undergoes treatment. The remaining 72% flows untreated into rivers, lakes, and land. The CSE report, titled Waste to Worth: Managing India’s Urban Water Crisis through Wastewater Reuse, highlights the missed potential of this untreated wastewater. It emphasizes the opportunity to recycle and reuse it. By treating and reusing wastewater, India can significantly reduce its urban water scarcity challenges.
Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, pointed out that wastewater reuse is a key strategy in addressing the water scarcity. She stressed the importance of turning wastewater into a valuable resource through strategic reuse.
POLICY PUSH FOR WASTEWATER REUSE
The Indian government has recognized the potential of wastewater reuse and is taking steps to encourage its adoption. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has mandated that cities must recycle and reuse at least 20% of the water they consume. This aligns with the broader goal of promoting a circular economy to ensure a sustainable, climate-resilient future.
Subrata Chakraborty, Senior Programme Manager at CSE, emphasized the importance of promoting circular water economies. This is crucial for managing the growing demand for freshwater in India. The CSE report shows that several states are already leading the way in promoting wastewater reuse. These states include Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
Successful Case Studies in Wastewater Reuse
Several cities and states in India have begun to integrate treated wastewater into their water management practices, showcasing successful examples:
- Maharashtra mandates industries in urban areas to use treated wastewater.
- Gujarat is targeting 100% wastewater reuse, particularly in agriculture and industry.
- Tamil Nadu promotes the use of treated wastewater for industrial purposes and urban greening projects.
Cities like Nagpur, Bengaluru, and Chennai are taking the lead in implementing wastewater reuse practices. Nagpur supplies treated wastewater to power plants. This reduces the demand for freshwater. Bengaluru uses treated waste water for agricultural purposes. It also aids in lake revival and groundwater recharge. Chennai utilizes treated waste water for industrial applications and urban landscaping.
CHALLENGES IN UPSCALING WASTEWATER REUSE
Despite the promising potential of waste water reuse, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to scale up these efforts:
- Infrastructure gaps in sewage treatment and distribution systems.
- Quality assurance to ensure treated water meets reuse standards.
- Public resistance driven by cultural beliefs and misconceptions about treated waste water.
- High operational costs of waste water treatment facilities.
Sumita Singhal, Programme Manager at CSE, emphasized that addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes better alignment of policies with urban planning and industrial needs. Advances in decentralized and cost-effective treatment technologies can help overcome infrastructure deficits and reduce costs.
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
The CSE report suggests that public-private partnerships (PPPs) can accelerate the implementation of waste water reuse. They can play a critical role in mobilizing investments for scaling up treatment and reuse projects. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives can improve awareness and foster greater acceptance of waste water reuse among urban planners, policymakers, and local communities.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS FOR WATER-SENSITIVE CITIES
CSE has launched a capacity-building initiative. This is in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The initiative aims at making Ganga Basin cities more water-sensitive. This initiative focuses on raising awareness and building the capacities of municipal and state-level officials, elected representatives, and stakeholders. It also aims to integrate national water security programs such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and the Swachh Bharat Mission to improve implementation and synergy in waste water management.
