A mere 28 per cent of urban wastewater and sewage generated in India undergoes treatment, while the remainder is discharged untreated into rivers, lakes, and land, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, released on Monday, highlights the significant challenges India faces in managing its urban water resources.
The report suggests that India’s urban water crisis could be alleviated if all wastewater were treated and reused effectively. Rajiv Kumar Mital, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), emphasised the importance of harnessing the potential of treated water. “Using and disposing of treated water without harnessing its potential means we are losing out on utilising an important resource. The challenge is to scale up and ensure that the work we do in this sector is impactful,” he said.
CSE Director General Sunita Narain attributed India’s water scarcity to rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, population expansion, and the effects of climate change. She highlighted the potential of wastewater reuse as a solution. “Wastewater reuse can be a key part of the strategy to address these concerns and promote water circularity and sustainability. In fact, there is an opportunity for turning wastewater into water again, and this is what our report’s title — Waste to Worth — is referring to,” Narain stated.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The Jal Shakti Ministry has mandated that cities recycle and reuse at least 20 per cent of their consumed water. Subrata Chakraborty, senior programme manager of the CSE water programme, called this mandate an essential step toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future. “This is in line with the belief that promoting a circular economy is essential for managing the ever-growing demand for freshwater,” Chakraborty explained.
Also read | Nagaland Uni professor selected as ‘Foreign Expert’ in China