Context: A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that only 28% of urban wastewater and sewage generated in India undergoes treatment, with the rest being directly discharged into rivers, lakes, and land, exacerbating the nation’s water pollution crisis.

• The report, titled Waste to Worth, highlights the immense potential of wastewater treatment and reuse in addressing India’s growing water scarcity. 

• Experts argue that if all urban wastewater were treated and recycled, it could significantly ease the country’s urban water crisis.

Key highlights of the Report

• Decline in India’s annual per capita freshwater availability: Currently below 1,700 cubic metres. 

• Huge amount of untreated wastewater: Nearly 72% of India’s wastewater ends up in nearby rivers, lakes, etc. 

• Potential in India: India presents a strong case for circular economy in water, as:

• 20% of groundwater blocks are in critical condition or overexploited. 

• 55% of households have open or no drains. 

Challenges of Wastewater Treatment in India

• Low Operational Capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Stands at around 26, 000 million litres per day compared to installed capacity of 31,000. 

• Others: Mixing up of all kinds of wastewater, lack of sewage networks, not prioritizing wastewater management, etc. 

Key Recommendations

• Governance Reforms: Polices to be backed by bye-laws at the district/city-level with effective monitoring. 

• E.g., Karnataka, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has defined responsibilities including coordination with the Waste Water Reuse Resource Centre. 

• Equity and Justice in water reuse: Especially for underprivileged residents of unplanned and informal settlements. 

• Decentralized STPs at city-level:  Bangalore’s district has been split into three zones based on its natural topography to serve needs of a specific area. 

Policy Initiatives for Wastewater Treatment in India

• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0: Recommends the utilization of used water. 

• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0: Mandates cities with population more than 0.01 million to recycle their used water. 

• National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Wastewater: By NMCG.