Time for compulsory Waste Water Recyling?

India is in the throes of a water crisis. Cities are forced to increasingly venture farther into the countryside to source fresh water from distant rivers. Result: Inevitable conflicts between agricultural and Urban / Industrial end use. 

There is, unfortunately, no magic wand to wave away the water supply problem of cities. A bouquet of solutions is needed. One such option is industrial re-use of treated sewage.

Sewage Treatment has two major components – an extensive collection network and adequate treatment facilities. In addition, the physical and commercial linkages for transfer of treated sewage to industrial users also need to be developed. Currently most cities lack one or all of the above pre-requisites.

To implement a national program, a robust policy framework is needed that addresses both supply and demand sides to promote sewage treatment for industrial use.

The proposed ‘Groundwater usage regulation’ bill is a good first step. As per the bill, for tapping of fresh water, Industrial use ranks third in priority below Residential and Agriculture / municipal use. This would eventually drive industries to use recycled sewage and thus help in creating the ‘Baseline’ demand.

A supply-side measure would be to encourage Water boards or municipal authorities to push recycling projects –recycled water from STPs is effectively cheaper than additional freshwater sources or desalination.

In this context, a mandatory direction to water boards on recycling obligations could be thought of. Recycling Wastewater Obligations for Urban Local Bodies or Water Authorities can be imposed, along the lines of Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) for DISCOMS in the power sector

Implementation is the key. After adequate consultations with stakeholders and a clear transition plan, a phased obligation could be introduced on the municipal water authorities. This can be stipulated as a minimum percentage of Recycled Water (say 5% initially) in the total daily water supply (say of 500 MLD). This minimum percentage could be progressively enhanced, subject to ground realities, industrial demand volumes and payment capacity of end users.   

PPP could be the commercial format for implementation as capital constraints hamper state authorities from investing own funds in these initiatives. Credible off takers and mitigated risks are essential to secure bank financing for such projects. A broad set of guidelines (or standard documents) at the central government level will catalyse municipal level initiatives.