Water security: Focus on equitable, uninterrupted and quality supply

Ensuring equitable, uninterrupted and quality water supply is central to achieving water security. In line with this, there is growing emphasis on ensuring continuous water supply and recycling treated wastewater for potable and non-potable purposes. Urban local bodies (ULBs) and private players have been actively involved in this effort. They are also paying more attention to rainwater harvesting, and advanced treatment technologies like desalination while tackling several critical challenges. Sector experts highlight the recent developments in this space, the technological initiatives undertaken and the key trends expected in the future…

How would you assess the progress in the water and sewerage sector over the past year? What has been the impact of government initiatives (such as AMRUT, JJM and SBM)?

Sourav Daspatnaik

Ambitious programmes such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) have been successfully implemented by most states. The coverage under JJM Rural has been spectacular, with over 80 per cent of rural households now receiving functional household tap water connections. The total investments/outlay for the JJM by the Indian Government is around Rs 2,600 billion. Meanwhile, AMRUT projects focus on developing efficient water and sewerage infrastructure, ensuring proper operations and maintenance and upgradation of assets. The total outlay under the mission is around Rs 600 billion.

Rajiv K.N.

The service area under the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is 800 square kilometres (sq. km) serving a population of around 14 million. Presently, BWSSB supplies 1,450 million litres per day (mld) of water from the Cauvery river in addition to 600 mld of groundwater through borewells.  Further, around 1,800 mld of sewage is generated in the city. There are 34 functional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that treat 1,348.5 mld of wastewater, and 27 WWTPs with a combined capacity of 520 mld are under construction. The board operates a total sewerage network length of 10,600 km.

Due to its service area and population size, BWSSB is not eligible to avail of benefits from central government schemes such as AMRUT, the JJM and SBM. However, water and wastewater schemes are being implemented through funding provided by the Karnataka government, as well as loans from the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Around 110 villages have been added to BWSSB’s service area under these schemes. BWSSB covers an area of about 800 sq. km, including 110 villages over a cumulative area of 225 sq. km. During the past one year, approximately 50,000 new metered connections have been added and an additional 150,000 metered connections are planned to be implemented in these 110 villages in the next year. To date, BWSSB has provided 1.1 million total metered connections in Bengaluru.

Dr Ajit Salvi

Assessing progress in the water and sewerage sector over the past year involves examining various indicators and evaluating the impacts of government initiatives. Programmes such as AMRUT, JJM and SBM are playing a critical role in driving sector advancement, and their success can be measured by both the extent of infrastructure development and the positive changes in public health and
living standards.

Water supply improvements: Over the past year, there has been significant progress under the JJM, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve rural water supply and ensure access to safe drinking water for all rural households in India. There has been increased coverage and reduced reliance on manual water collection, reflecting positive progress. As of August 2024, the JJM has achieved notable milestones in improving rural water supply across India, with approximately 78 per cent of rural Indian households receiving piped water connections. This represents a significant increase from the baseline of around 17 per cent coverage when the mission was launched in 2019.

Sewerage and sanitation enhancements: With the launch of the SBM, there has been continued focus on improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation. Its impact can be gauged by the number of household toilets constructed, increased sanitation coverage and the establishment of solid waste management systems. There have been reduced incidences of open defecation and improved hygiene standards over the past year. As of August 2024, the SBM has made substantial progress with 587,000 villages and more than 99 per cent of urban areas being declared open defecation free. This includes both SBM-G (Gramin) and SBM-U (Urban) initiatives. In addition, around 116 million household toilets have been constructed across the country. This has significantly improved access to sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas.

Urban infrastructure development: The AMRUT mission aims to improve urban infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage systems. Evaluating progress involves assessing the number of completed infrastructure projects, improvements in urban water supply reliability and the status of wastewater treatment facilities. As of August 2024, the AMRUT mission has achieved notable progress in improving urban infrastructure, with 3,530 water supply projects being completed or under way, enhancing the water supply system in urban areas. The mission aims to ensure a continuous and safe water supply to over 500 cities. Further, 1,132 sewage treatment plants (STPs) and related infrastructure have been constructed or upgraded.

Quality and sustainability: Assessments should also consider the quality of services, such as the reliability of water supply, the efficiency of STPs and overall sustainability practices. This includes measuring reductions in water losses, improvements in wastewater recycling and better maintenance of infrastructure.

What has been the progress in providing uninterrupted water supply and promoting effective water conservation?

Sourav Daspatnaik

The Indian government’s initiative to provide clean drinking water for every household has been highly ambitious. The concept of 24×7 water supply in urban areas is gaining traction, with several towns implementing various programmes to transition from intermittent to uninterrupted supply. While there are some challenges associated with providing a 24×7 uninterrupted water supply, the benefits far outweigh these difficulties. Cities such as Nagpur, Puri and parts of Delhi NCR as well as some parts of cities and towns in Tamil Nadu are now striving for uninterrupted water supply.

The aim to provide 135 litres per capita per day of water is a significant undertaking, with source sustainability playing an important role. Thus, for India to transition to uninterrupted water supply, various models can be explored, such as the “drink from the tap” approach and a source-based system that ensures reliable supply with pressurisation in the last mile. In order to enhance the augmentation and source sustainability of raw water and groundwater, there is a need to develop a closed-loop system where treated wastewater is charged back to the ground. By effectively blending rainwater, groundwater and surface water, efficient supply can be ensured for urban areas where adequate surface water is not available. Cities such as Chennai and Bengaluru are leading the way in water management. There is an urgent need to embrace water conservation in India through programmes such as Catch the Rain and Catch the Moving Water to effectively store and use water. Much of India’s stormwater is wasted and unutilised, necessitating the development of efficient stormwater management systems to reuse this water judiciously. Though the JJM focuses on the creation of water conservation systems, the current focus is on providing piped water supply. Therefore, source suitability is key to the success of all water schemes.

BWSSB

Every 10 years, based on the increase in population and the inclusion of new areas under BWSSB’s jurisdiction, bulk water supply projects are being taken up. In August 2024, a water supply scheme of 775 mld capacity has been commissioned, which will provide sufficient quantity and quality of water to the 110 villages. As a result, BWSSB’s revenue will increase by 30 per cent.

Dr Ajit Salvi

Many regions have seen improvements in water supply infrastructure, including the construction and upgrade of water treatment plants, pipelines and storage facilities. This helps in reducing leaks and ensuring a more consistent supply. The adoption of technology for monitoring and managing water supply, such as real-time data systems and smart meters, has helped in detecting leaks and managing water distribution more effectively. Government initiatives such as the JJM aim to increase the percentage of households with access to reliable tap water supply. Progress is visible in many areas, with previously disconnected communities now receiving regular water supply. Further, improved maintenance protocols and quicker repair times for infrastructure failures contribute to more reliable water delivery.

Regarding progress related to effective water conservation, government and non-governmental organisation-led campaigns have raised awareness about water conservation practices, encouraging individuals and businesses to reduce water usage and adopt efficient practices. There has been a push for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in residential and commercial buildings, which helps in capturing and reusing rainwater. Further, the promotion of wastewater treatment and recycling technologies enables water reuse for non-potable purposes, reducing the overall demand for freshwater resources. Many regions have introduced policies and regulations aimed at water conservation, such as restrictions on water usage during droughts, incentives for water-efficient appliances and guidelines for sustainable water management. The use of technologies such as drip irrigation in agriculture, which reduces water wastage, and smart irrigation systems are contributing to more efficient water use.

What initiatives are being taken for wastewater recycling and reuse? What is the future potential?

Sourav Daspatnaik

It is estimated that over 60,000 mld of sewage water is generated, while current treatment capacity stands at approximately 32,000 mld, resulting in a shortfall of 90 per cent. Further, only 23,000 mld of sewerage capacity is utilised. To this end, several states have implemented programmes for wastewater recycling and reuse. For instance, the National Mission for Clean Ganga has played a crucial role in preventing river pollution, while projects in cities such as Mathura are utilising treated water from sewage treatment plants in industrial processes to create a revenue stream. In many states, the recycling and reuse of water is mandatory, with sewerage water being used as feedstock. States facing freshwater stress such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka are taking up such schemes. However, there remain key issues regarding the recycling and reuse policy, such as tariff structures, affordability, creation of efficient user groups and the common carriage principal. States such as Punjab, Rajasthan and others in northern, central and southern India are developing plans to encourage wastewater recycling. Technology adoption is not a barrier; the focus should be on tariffs, transportation and developing a dedicated network for used water, which are crucial for success. There is also a need for more public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks, as well as greater participation from ULBS, academia and industry in this area.

“The coverage under JJM Rural has been spectacular, with over 80 per cent of rural households now receiving functional household tap water connections.” Sourav Daspatnaik

BWSSB

Around 850 mld out of 1,212 mld (approximately 70 per cent) of treated used water is currently reused in Bengaluru. Further, approximately 550 mld of treated used water is supplied to extremely dry regions of Kolar for irrigation purposes and about 100 mld is being used for industrial needs. BWSSB generates an average monthly revenue of Rs 5.5 million through the sale of this recycled water. For secondary treated water, it charges Rs 10 per kilolitre (kl) for supply to plant premises through lorry tankers and Rs 15 per kl for supply through pipelines, with the entire cost of the pipeline being borne by the beneficiaries. Further, for tertiary treated water, it charges Rs 15 per kl for supply to plant premises through lorry tankers and Rs 25 per kl for supply through the pipeline, with the entire cost of the pipeline being borne by the beneficiaries. It has also started supplying tertiary treated water through tankers (with about 6,000 litres of capacity) for non-potable purposes, at Rs 360 per tanker. Moreover, 200,000 households have adopted rainwater harvesting, which has raised groundwater levels, thereby reducing the stress on surface water.

Going forward, BWSSB plans to reuse at least 10 per cent of treated water for industrial use. It has proposed the development of an advanced water treatment plant to promote a circular economy in the sector and enable sustainability. This plant will receive water from lakes, treat it to potable quality and blend it with fresh water for potable purposes. Moreover, BWSSB has planned to rejuvenate the Arkavathi river, an important river in Karnataka, through the implementation of the Arkavathi River Rejuvenation Project. The river originates in the Nandi Hills of the Chikkaballapura district. It is a tributary of the Cauvery river, joining it 34 km south of Kanakapura, Ramanagara district.

Dr Ajit Salvi

Several initiatives such as the use of advanced treatment technologies, regulatory and policy support, and integrated urban water management are being adopted for wastewater recycling and reuse. For instance, for secondary and tertiary treatment, enhanced treatment processes such as membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis are being adopted to further purify wastewater, making it suitable for various non-potable uses. Small-scale, localised treatment plants are also being implemented to manage wastewater closer to the source, reducing the burden on central systems and enabling more efficient recycling.

Various state governments are establishing standards and guidelines for the safe reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation, industrial processes and even potable usage in some regions. Policies that provide financial incentives or subsidies for wastewater recycling projects are receiving more widespread adoption. Urban planning efforts are incorporating wastewater recycling into the overall water management strategy, with systems designed to integrate recycled water into the local water supply network.

Overall, wastewater recycling and reuse are a crucial component of sustainable water management. The potential for future expansion is significant, driven by technological advances, supportive policies and increasing water scarcity challenges. Advancements in treatment technologies will continue to improve the efficiency and safety of wastewater recycling, potentially making recycled water suitable for a wider range of applications, including direct potable use. As technology evolves and scales up, the cost of wastewater recycling is expected to decrease, making it more economically viable for broader implementation.

“BWSSB plans to reuse at least 10 per cent of treated water for industrial use.” Rajiv K.N.

What are the key challenges that remain unaddressed?

Sourav Daspatnaik

There are several legacy issues and infrastructural and project management challenges that need to be addressed in order to develop a holistic model. Treated sewerage water is fully not utilised and is often discharged into rivers, nullahs and drains. Poor sanitation methods such as soak pits and septic tanks are still being accepted as a means to dispose of solid faecal waste. There is a critical need to focus on developing wastewater infrastructure in rural areas. Stringent regulations are required to mandate the usage of sewerage water by industries. For this, investment through a combination of financial frameworks such as PPPs is required. The government can play a vital role, and the private sector, alongside community participation, should be involved in managing assets effectively.

BWSSB

A few key challenges faced by BWSSB need to be addressed. These include an increase in the water tariff and staff shortage. The present staff strength is insufficient, given the increased scope of work for BWSSB. Due to superannuation, experienced staff members with extensive experience are retiring. New engineers are being appointed as per the government rules, but need to be trained again to improve human resources and update the institutional memory. Moreover, growing population, non-diverse water portfolio/resources and climate change impacts are other issues being tackled. It also needs to address critical areas such as wastewater management, restoration of the waterscape, evolving consumer expectations, rising costs and ageing infrastructure.

Dr Ajit Salvi

Despite significant progress in wastewater recycling and reuse, several key challenges remain. Public reluctance or fear about the safety and quality of recycled water can hinder broader adoption. Building trust through transparent communication and proven safety standards is crucial. The initial capital investment for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure can be substantial, which may be a barrier for many municipalities and industries. Further, ongoing costs and expertise required for maintaining and operating advanced treatment systems can also be a challenge.

Varying regulations and standards across regions can create confusion and limit the implementation of recycled water projects. Therefore, harmonising standards and guidelines is necessary for broader adoption. Moreover, existing regulations may not fully address new technologies or the complexities of advanced treatment processes. While technologies for wastewater treatment are advancing, scaling them up for widespread use can be complex and costly.

Further, integrating recycled water into existing water supply systems and infrastructure can be complex and may require significant modifications. For successful project implementation, effective coordination between various stakeholders, including municipal authorities, industries and the public, is necessary. Lastly, the economic benefits of recycling wastewater must outweigh the costs, which can be challenging in regions with limited financial resources or where freshwater is relatively abundant and cheap.

“Programmes such as AMRUT, the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission are playing a critical role in driving sector advancement.” Dr Ajit Salvi

What is the sector outlook for the next one to two years?

Sourav Daspatnaik

The outlook for wastewater treatment, recycling and efficient distribution networks, including metering, is promising. The industrial use of recycled water will lead to the creation of a new segment that will work towards implementing efficient programmes. Other areas of focus include sanitation programmes such as Open Defecation Free Plus and faecal sludge management. Given India’s large population, there is a significant potential to build large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure and ecosystem. Start-ups are poised to achieve significant growth in the next five years, given that most companies in this sector are micro, small and medium enterprises.

BWSSB

BWSSB aims to increase metered connections by 0.15 million and ensure that at least 10 per cent of the treated sewage is used for industrial purposes, which will improve BWSSB’s financial health. It has also planned to implement energy-efficient schemes to reduce power costs by up to 10 per cent. BWSSB further aims to reduce unaccounted-for water from the current 28 per cent to 25 per cent.

Dr Ajit Salvi

The sector outlook for water and wastewater management for the coming years remains positive, with advancements in technology, increased investment and a growing emphasis on sustainability. However, challenges related to infrastructure, public acceptance and regulatory frameworks will need to be addressed to fully realise these opportunities.

The government and the private sector are likely to continue investing in water infrastructure and advanced treatment technologies, driven by growing concerns about water scarcity and quality. Ongoing innovation in treatment technologies, including more efficient and cost-effective solutions for wastewater recycling and reuse, are expected to be focus areas. More municipalities and industries are expected to adopt recycled water systems, particularly for non-potable uses such as irrigation and industrial processes. Some regions may start exploring potable reuse options as well.

The use of digital technologies and smart sensors for real-time monitoring and management of water systems is expected to grow, improving efficiency and reducing losses. Enhanced data analytics will aid in optimising water use, detecting issues early and predicting future water demand and supply scenarios.

Lastly, governments may introduce more supportive policies and incentives to encourage water recycling and conservation, including grants, subsidies and tax benefits. There may also be an increased international collaboration on best practices and technologies for water management, driven by global water challenges.