Gujarat to Scale up Use of Treated Wastewater

Taking a lead in water recycling and treatment in the country, the Gujarat government has come out with a policy for using treated wastewater. The policy, released by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, aims to reuse 70% of treated wastewater by 2025 and scale it up to 100% by 2030. By using treated wastewater, the government is experimenting with alternative sources of non-potable water to meet growing demand.

The policy makes it mandatory for all thermal power plants within 50-km of an STP (sewage treatment plant) or city limits to use treated wastewater. All units under the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) estates, all industrial units in special investment regions (SIRs), industrial parks and large industrial units, which are consuming minimum one lakh litres of fresh water per day for non-potable purpose and are located within a 50-km of a city limit or an STP will also have to use treated wastewater.

The policy also makes it clear that wherever the treated wastewater comes in direct contact with human beings or is used in process resulting in products for human consumption, its use will not be mandatory.

“Considering the future requirements of potable drinking water, we have to adopt a policy of resource, retreat, reduce and reuse,” said Mr. Rupani while launching the policy.