Only 28% of Urban Wastewater in India Is Treated: CSE Report

New Delhi, December 16, 2024: 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.

Rajiv Kumar Mital, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), stressed the importance of harnessing the potential of treated wastewater, stating, "Using and disposing of treated water without harnessing its potential means we are losing out on utilizing an important resource. The challenge is to scale up and ensure that the work we do in this sector is impactful."

CSE Director General Sunita Narain pointed to the increasing water scarcity in India, driven by rapid urbanization, industrial growth, population expansion, and climate change. She noted that wastewater reuse could play a critical role in addressing these challenges and promoting water circularity and sustainability. “In fact, there is an opportunity for turning wastewater into water again," Narain added.

In line with this, the Jal Shakti Ministry has mandated that cities must recycle and reuse at least 20% of the water they consume. Subrata Chakraborty, Senior Programme Manager for CSE's water programme, emphasized the importance of promoting a circular economy to achieve a sustainable and climate-resilient future. "This is essential for managing the ever-growing demand for freshwater," he said.

As urban areas continue to grow, experts believe that investing in wastewater treatment and reuse technologies is a key strategy for safeguarding India’s water resources and ensuring long-term water sustainability.