1. Urban growth : According to the report, the country is expected to add approximately 404 million new urban dwellers between now and 2050. This will add higher industrial output + greater energy demand = water stress ?

• The per capita availability of water has dropped from 1,816 cubic metres in 2001 to 1,545 cubic metres in 2011.[1]

1. There are three forces that are propelling the business case for reuse of treated wastewater in India.

• First and foremost: Water security.

• Secondly : Reuse of treated wastewater is getting strong support from government policy. = River Ganga, a flagship initiative of the ruling government (Clean Ganga Mission).

• Finally, by signing the Paris Agreement on climate change in April 2016, India has signalled its concern for the sustainable use of natural resources.

3. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ?

• To promote reuse, the central and state governments should jointly issue a national wastewater reuse policy with clear policy targets, setting out the legislative, regulatory and financial measures needed to achieve those targets.

• Sound policy and regulatory interventions by the central and state governments are a prerequisite for the launching of innovative reuse projects

• In industrial areas where reclaimed water is made available, groundwater extraction has to be strictly regulated by either the water utility or the State Pollution Control Board.

• the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Water Resources should together define quality norms for different grades of industrial water which will help standardise design of reuse systems nationwide

• For PPP structures to evolve in this sector, significant government interventions (including the aforementioned) are required to create a favourable environment for private sector participation.

REFERENCE : http://indiacsr.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/PwC-report-Closing-the-water-loop-September-2016.pdf

[1] . Ministry of Water Resources, Press Information Bureau (PIB), http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=82676