India faces a significant challenge with untreated wastewater, as over 70% of urban sewage is released into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas without treatment. In 2020, urban centres generated a staggering 72,368 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, yet the installed treatment capacity stood at a mere 31,841 MLD.
The discharge of untreated sewage has dire environmental and health implications. It leads to severe water pollution, diminishes the availability of potable water, and facilitates the spread of various diseases. Additionally, it adversely affects aquatic ecosystems and compromises efforts aimed at enhancing climate resilience and ensuring water security, particularly under initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Wastewater management in India suffers from a lack of cohesion due to policy fragmentation, overlapping jurisdictions, and inadequate coordination. The slow execution of projects, coupled with limited local capacity and minimal private sector involvement, further complicates the landscape. Often, urban projects receive a disproportionate share of attention, leaving smaller cities inadequately resourced.
The wastewater treatment market in India was valued at USD 13.1 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to expand to USD 23.8 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 6.2%. This growth highlights the urgent need for investment and infrastructure development in the sector.
As of 2023, merely about 25% of India's sewage was treated in organized plants (STPs). In states like Bihar, treatment capacity is shockingly low, with figures under 400 MLD, falling far short of the required levels. Although treatment facilities exist in Punjab and Haryana, much of the sewage remains untreated.
The industrial sector emerges as a major consumer of treated wastewater, utilizing nearly 58% for various purposes, especially in thermal power plants. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages rely extensively on high-purity treated water.
Recent advancements in wastewater recycling technologies, such as membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis, and anaerobic batch reactors, are being increasingly adopted. These technologies offer higher purity levels and efficiency, though they are associated with elevated costs and energy requirements.
Despite significant allocations from central schemes like AMRUT, Namami Gange, and Jal Jeevan Mission, a considerable portion of the funds remains underutilized. Private investors tend to approach the sector with caution due to the high costs and uncertain returns.
Recycled wastewater has the potential to support various sectors, including horticulture, construction, and industrial cooling. Currently, less than 20% of treated water is reused. However, through improved models, it can also facilitate fuel production from biogas, sludge recovery, and nutrient extraction.
To unlock the full potential of wastewater management, several reforms are essential:
India generates over 72,000 MLD of wastewater yet treats less than half of it. With the dual pressures of increasing water stress and rapid urbanization, wastewater recycling emerges as a crucial solution. Addressing policy fragmentation, improving fund utilization, and enhancing reuse can transform wastewater into a valuable resource for sustainability and economic growth.
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