The increasing demand for water, particularly industrial water, highlights the need for innovative solutions such as wastewater treatment systems. As per the Ministry of Jal Shakti, India’s water requirement is likely to exceed the 1,500 billion cubic metre mark by 2050, driven by population growth and economic expansion. The growing demand is further compounded by India’s limited and depleting water resources. To address these challenges effectively, the sector has adopted a range of innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and ensure the sustainability of wastewater treatment systems. These include modern pumping solutions that improve energy efficiency, new piping systems designed for durability and seamless operation of the wastewater network, and advanced valves that enhance network control and minimise water losses. These advanced equipment and solutions address the complexities of wastewater management and improve water supply services.
Modern pumping systems
Pumps are essential components of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs), ensuring a consistent and pressurised flow of wastewater through various systems. Modern pumping technologies are being developed in the sector to address challenges pertaining to energy efficiency, operational reliability and adaptability, especially in demanding environments in countries like India. For example, Kishor Pumps provides centrifugal pumps, which optimise the energy consumption of STPs and ETPs, along with submersible pumps that minimise downtime. These designs protect seals from sand and particles and site-replaceable cable assemblies that simplify motor cable repairs. Their corrosion-resistant materials further ensure pump longevity in harsh wastewater environments. Similarly, the vertical non-clog dry pit pumps are designed for heavy-duty applications with easy maintenance. For handling wastewater with solids, horizontal non-clog pumps offer smooth operations, and horizontal clear liquid pumps are used for clear liquid applications with higher energy efficiency.
Furthermore, variable frequency drives (VFDs) are integrated for precise speed control, reduction of energy consumption and elimination of reliance on throttling valves. Some innovative designs provided by Kishor Pumps efficiently handle solids of varying sizes (0 mm to 100 mm) in wastewater, ensuring high performance of these pumps in diverse conditions. Models such as the A Series, C Series and V Series deliver efficiency rates of
up to 82 per cent, making them suitable for challenging environments.
Regular maintenance is critical for ensuring the long-term reliability of pumping systems. Advanced innovations such as replaceable cable assemblies and real-time monitoring systems have emerged as effective solutions to mitigate these issues. Advanced pumps and proactive maintenance measures enhance STP operations, ensuring resilience and cost-effectiveness.
Efficient piping solutions
The use of modern piping systems is essential for the efficient movement of water and wastewater between households, industries and treatment facilities. Advanced piping solutions such as those provided by Borouge are tailored to meet the demands of modern water and wastewater systems. Their high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are rigorously tested through a 10,000-hour accelerated pressure test. They ensure a lifespan exceeding 50 years while adhering to minimum reinforcement standards (MRS). These high quality pipes are designed for flexibility, with small diameters supplied in coils of 50-200 metres and larger diameters in single strings of up to 500 metres, reducing the number of joints and minimising leakage risks. For marine applications, HDPE pipes excel due to their resistance to seawater, sunlight and adverse weather conditions. Their smooth surface prevents marine growth, thus ensuring consistent intake capacity. Besides, these pipes demonstrate superior resistance to crack growth and stress, surpassing ISO standards by adopting cutting-edge materials such as PE100 with MRS112 and PE100RC classifications. These durable pipes are ideal for diverse applications, including municipal water systems, industrial processes and desalination plants. They also simplify installation, and the use of 3LPE-coated steel pipes, PE100 and PE80 pipes, and composite materials further enhances durability.
Additionally, the Astral Chem Pro chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) piping system is specifically designed for handling corrosive chemicals and fluids, making it the preferred choice in various industrial processes and wastewater applications. Its versatility allows it to be used for transporting sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), sodium chloride (brine), sodium chlorate, sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid. The system is also ideal for demineralised and deionised water systems, potable water applications and desalination plants. Its chemical resistance, leakproof joints and corrosion-free properties make it a highly efficient solution for demanding environments. The seawater desalination plants in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, rely on CPVC systems for their critical operations.
Meanwhile, perforated polyvinyl chloride pipes are being used for subsurface water management with filters for effective soil rehabilitation. They are also used in Astral’s GeoRex and Varadan systems. The Astral PowerDrain belt provides an eco-friendly solution for subsurface dewatering through capillary action. These advanced piping systems address the challenges of wastewater
treatment, ensuring efficiency, sustainability and long-term reliability.
Advanced industrial valves
Industrial valve systems play a critical role in managing fluid flow and handling corrosive chemicals in wastewater treatment and other industrial processes. Astral offers a comprehensive range of industrial valves designed to ensure precision, durability and reliability across diverse applications. These include True Union industrial ball valves, check valves, standard and wafer butterfly valves, diaphragm valves, as well as specialised options such as three-way ball valves, gate valves, globe valves and needle valves. Additionally, swing check valves, wafer check valves, Y-strainers and basket strainers cater to industries requiring robust water flow control and filtration systems.
In sum
Over 2 billion people currently lack daily access to potable water, and by 2030, more than 5 billion individuals are expected to live under severe water stress. With rising water consumption, industries face the dual challenge of addressing water scarcity, and managing increasing costs of water treatment and supply. Advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO) and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems are key to mitigating these issues. Supported by policies from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Central Pollution Control Board, ZLD systems reduce thermal treatment volumes, optimise chemical recovery and promote sustainable water reuse.
RO systems and brine concentrators also provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to these pressing challenges.
As wastewater treatment systems advance, the adoption of advanced technologies in pumps, piping systems and industrial valves has become essential. Innovations such as energy-efficient pumps, durable piping solutions and precision-engineered valves ensure reliable wastewater management. These technologies effectively address challenges related to energy consumption and maintenance while advancing sustainability goals through reduced waste and optimised resource utilisation. n
Based on presentations by Manoj Dhar, Senior Vice President, Astral Limited; Siddharth K. Desai, Joint Managing Director, Kishor Pumps; and Chanchal Dasgupta, Manager, Application Marketing, Infrastructure, Borouge, at a recent Indian Infrastructure conference
