Wastewater treatment is vital for India's sustainable development. With billions of liters of water lost daily due to untreated sewage, effective management is essential. Rising urbanization, along with water scarcity and climate challenges, necessitates the use of treated wastewater to secure long-term water resources.
In 2020, urban India generated over 72.4 billion liters per day (BLD) of sewage, yet only had the capacity to treat 31.84 BLD. This results in a significant gap of over 40 BLD, causing severe pollution and health risks.
There is a stark disparity in sewage treatment capabilities among states. For example, Maharashtra treated more than 8 BLD by the end of 2023, while Bihar managed less than 0.4 BLD, despite facing similar population pressures. Smaller cities and towns often lack adequate facilities, exacerbating the problem.
India faces several hurdles in reusing treated wastewater. Poor infrastructure and limited investment in smaller towns impede progress. Currently, less than 20% of treated water is recycled, with the remainder often released into the environment.
Despite the establishment of the Jal Shakti Ministry in 2019, overlapping responsibilities between state and central agencies, slow project implementation, and a shortage of skilled workers often hinder effective wastewater management.
India is gradually moving towards advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Traditional chemical methods are being replaced by sustainable solutions such as reverse osmosis (RO), sequencing batch reactors (SBR), and membrane bioreactors (MBR). However, high costs restrict their adoption in rural and economically disadvantaged areas.
Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have emerged as leaders in wastewater treatment with innovative desalination and recycling projects. However, the adoption of such technologies remains slow in other states due to weak public-private partnerships and insufficient incentives.
As of 2023, only 67% of the AMRUT 2.0 funds have been utilized, and over ₹6,000 crore earmarked under the Jal Jeevan Mission remains unspent. The focus continues to be disproportionately on large cities, leaving smaller towns underserved.
In 2023, performance issues were evident, with 40% of STPs failing to meet pollution standards. While states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu achieved over 75% of their planned capacity, others like Jharkhand and Tripura struggled, with capacities below 15%.
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is crucial for ensuring industrial units do not discharge untreated water. Yet, by mid-2023, only 13% of textile units in Punjab and Haryana adopted ZLD, indicating weak enforcement of regulations.
Private investment in the wastewater sector is hindered by high costs, limited returns, and uncertain bidding conditions. In 2023, over half of the firms reported facing financial challenges and a lack of clarity regarding policy support.
Treated wastewater offers innovative solutions such as:
To scale up wastewater infrastructure, India needs innovative financing models like green bonds, blended finance, and water credits, especially in smaller cities and industrial clusters.
The current disposal-focused policy must transition to one that emphasizes resource recovery and reuse. Embracing the principles of a circular economy—reduce, reuse, recycle—can transform wastewater into a valuable asset for society.
Q1. Why is wastewater treatment crucial for India?
Answer: Wastewater treatment is essential for conserving water resources, mitigating pollution, and ensuring sustainable water supply amidst urbanization and climate change challenges.
Q2. What percentage of sewage is untreated in India?
Answer: In 2020, India generated over 72.4 BLD of sewage, with only 31.84 BLD treated, leaving around 40 BLD untreated and posing significant environmental risks.
Q3. Which states are leading in sewage treatment solutions?
Answer: Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are at the forefront, implementing advanced desalination and recycling projects, although progress is slow in other regions.
Q4. What is Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)?
Answer: ZLD prevents industrial units from discharging untreated wastewater, promoting sustainability; however, its adoption remains low due to enforcement issues.
Q5. How can India improve its wastewater infrastructure financing?
Answer: India can enhance wastewater infrastructure financing by introducing green bonds, blended finance, and water credits, particularly in smaller urban areas.
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