🔆 Adopt Policies for Reuse of Treated Water
📍 Why in News?
🟢 Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have notified treated wastewater reuse policies, offering examples of how contextualised water-reuse strategies can be designed.
🟢 The National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW), 2022 provides a policy canvas for States to develop their own reuse policies.
📍 Treated Wastewater: A Hidden Opportunity
🟢 Treated wastewater is an untapped resource for agriculture, industry, urban landscaping and ecological restoration.
🟢 It can provide a reliable, drought-proof supply while reducing dependence on freshwater.
🟢 India should focus less on discovering new freshwater reserves and more on intelligently recycling the water it already has.
📍 Challenges
🟢 Merely expanding sewage treatment plants and pipelines will not close the loop if treated water has no end use.
🟢 Reuse requires institutional coordination, pricing signals, quality standards and city-level roadmaps.
🟢 Public awareness is essential to overcome misconceptions regarding the safety of treated water.
📍 Way Forward
🟢 Adopt fit-for-purpose reuse, integrating urban planning, river rejuvenation and community participation.
🟢 Promote convergence among utilities, urban departments, irrigation agencies and industries.
🟢 Set measurable reuse targets and milestones at the State and city levels.
📍 Key Takeaway
🟢 Reuse of treated water is not merely a policy choice but a strategic imperative for India’s water security.
🟢 The shift must be local in implementation, even as the national vision remains broad.
🔹 UPSC Mains Question:
“Treated wastewater represents a crucial opportunity for enhancing India’s water security and climate resilience.” Discuss the potential and challenges of promoting its large-scale reuse.
#Environment #WaterResources
September 1, 2026 187 2
