India Pushes ‘Treated Water Reuse’ as National Reform to Tackle Water Stress and Pollution

With rising water demand and mounting pressure on freshwater resources, India is accelerating the adoption of Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) as a key national reform to strengthen water security, reduce river pollution and promote sustainable urban management.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the leadership of Minister C.R. Paatil, is driving a multi-dimensional strategy combining policy reforms, infrastructure development and sectoral adoption across industries, agriculture and urban systems.

From Wastewater to Resource: A Strategic Shift

Officials describe SRTW as a transformative approach that shifts the focus from wastewater disposal to resource recovery and reuse.

Key objectives include:

• Reducing dependence on freshwater sources

• Lowering pollution load in rivers, especially in the Ganga basin

• Strengthening urban water resilience

• Promoting a circular water economy

Regular reviews at the Empowered Task Force level have accelerated implementation across states and cities.

States Move Toward Policy Adoption

In a major policy breakthrough:

• Uttarakhand has formally notified its SRTW policy

• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are in the final stages of approval

The policies provide a regulatory framework for using treated wastewater in:

• Industrial processes

• Construction activities

• Irrigation of parks and green spaces

• Urban non-potable uses such as flushing

They also clearly define roles for urban local bodies, industries and government departments.

Kanpur Model: Industrial Reuse Gains Momentum

A flagship example of SRTW in action is the 30 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Bingawan, Kanpur, developed under the Namami Gange Mission.

Key features:

• Uses advanced Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology

• Operates at full capacity, treating 30 million litres per day

• Reduces pollution entering the Pandu River and Ganga

Significantly, the nearby Panki Thermal Power Plant is utilising 40 MLD of treated water, demonstrating large-scale industrial reuse and reducing freshwater dependency.

Replication Across Major Industrial Units

Similar reuse initiatives are being adopted nationwide:

• Jojobera Power Plant (Jharkhand): 4 MLD

• Pragati Power Station-I: 20 MLD

• Pragati Power Station-III: 120 MLD

• IOCL Mathura Refinery: 8 MLD

These projects highlight the growing role of treated wastewater as a reliable industrial resource.

City-Level Action Plans Drive Implementation

To translate policy into action, cities are preparing City-Level Reuse Action Plans (CLRAPs).

• Agra and Prayagraj: Plans completed

• Varanasi: Final stage

• Kanpur: Planning initiated

These plans map:

• Availability of treated water

• Demand centres (industries, railways, agriculture)

• Distribution infrastructure

• Monitoring and governance mechanisms

Prayagraj: Scaling Up Reuse Infrastructure

Prayagraj is emerging as a key model for circular water management.

Current capacity:

• 10 STPs with 340 MLD capacity, expanding to 595 MLD

Major reuse projects:

• 50 MLD to Prayagraj Power Generation Company

• 72 MLD to Meja Urja Nigam

• Supply to railway stations and urban systems

Total reuse potential:

• 126.45 MLD

• Investment: ₹1,625 crore

A dedicated City-Level Reuse Cell (CLRC) will oversee implementation and financing.

Agra: Tackling Yamuna Pollution and Water Scarcity

Facing acute water stress, Agra is adopting a circular water economy approach.

Key data:

• Sewage generation: 286 MLD

• Treatment capacity rising from 221 MLD to 398 MLD

Identified reuse projects:

• Railway stations: 5 MLD

• Metro corridor: 2 MLD

• Keetham Lake: 21 MLD

Total reuse:

• 28 MLD

• Investment: ₹93 crore

The plan also includes digital monitoring, tariff frameworks and institutional reforms.

Towards a Circular Water Economy

The SRTW initiative represents a broader shift toward:

• Efficient water resource management

• Integration of technology and policy

• Collaboration between government, industry and urban bodies

Officials say the approach will:

• Reduce groundwater over-extraction

• Improve river health

• Enhance climate resilience

A Scalable Model for Water Security

With policy momentum, city-level planning and successful industrial adoption, SRTW is emerging as a scalable national model to address India's water challenges.

As water stress intensifies, the initiative is expected to play a crucial role in building a resilient, sustainable and future-ready water management system, particularly in high-demand regions like the Ganga basin.