The Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) framework has seen significant progress , with Uttarakhand becoming the latest state to notify its formal SRTW policy. The initiative reflects growth in India’s transition toward a circular water economy, shifting focus from wastewater disposal to resource recovery.
While national policy alignment is being reviewed by the Empowered Task Force, city-level implementation is accelerating through City-Level Reuse Action Plans (CLRAPs) in major urban centres like Agra and Prayagraj. This momentum is supported by proven industrial adoption, where thermal power plants and refineries are utilizing hundreds of millions of liters of treated water daily, significantly reducing the pressure on freshwater and groundwater resources.
Key Pillars of the SRTW Framework
Policy Notification: Uttarakhand has formalized regulations for non-potable reuse in industries, irrigation, and construction; policies for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal are in the final stages.
Industrial Leadership: The Panki Thermal Power Plant (Kanpur) utilizes 40 MLD of treated water, while Pragati Power Station-III (Delhi) leads with 120 MLD.
Advanced Treatment Technology: The 30 MLD Bingawan STP in Kanpur uses Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology under a Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for high-standard water recovery.
City-Level Action Plans (CLRAPs): Agra and Prayagraj have completed detailed roadmaps, while plans for Varanasi and Kanpur are currently being initiated or finalized.
Railway & Infrastructure Integration: Projects in Agra and Prayagraj are set to supply treated water to major railway stations (e.g., Agra Cantt and Prayagraj Junction) for non-potable uses.
Circular Economy Investment: Prayagraj has identified a reuse potential of 126.45 MLD with an estimated investment of ₹1,625 crore.
What is a "City-Level Reuse Action Plan" (CLRAP)? A CLRAP is a comprehensive operational framework designed to bridge the gap between sewage treatment and the actual utilisation of treated water at the municipal level. It plays a role in identifying specific "demand centers"—such as thermal power plants, agricultural zones, and railway stations—and mapping them to available treated water from local STPs. The plan is supported by the goal of reducing dependence on groundwater and improving river health by ensuring that treated water is not just discharged, but safely redistributed through dedicated systems. Implementation of a CLRAP is often managed by a dedicated City-Level Reuse Cell (CLRC), which oversees the institutional coordination, financing, and tariff structures required for long-term sustainability.
Policy Relevance: Anchoring India’s Water Security
Scaling Industrial Decarbonisation: Using treated water for power plants like Jojobera and Meja Urja Nigamreflects growth in industrial responsibility, helping units meet environmental norms while conserving freshwater.
Internalising Urban Water Stress: The focus on Prayagraj and Agra plays a role in mitigating acute water stress caused by rapid urbanization and excessive groundwater extraction.
Bypassing River Pollution: Consistently discharging high-standard treated water into the Pandu and Yamuna rivers contributes to the broader "Namami Gange" goal of reducing pollution loads.
Supporting Infrastructure Resilience: Directing treated water to Metro corridors and Railway stations is supported by the need for sustainable urban maintenance practices.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Ministry of Jal Shakti ensure that the upcoming SRTW policies in Bihar and West Bengal are mechanically aligned with local agricultural irrigation needs?
Follow the Full Release Here: Safe Reuse of Treated Water Gains Momentum; Policy Notified in Uttarakhand
