Waste Water Management - A Study

Water use across various sectors in India is on the rise. Various estimates and projections indicate an increasing trend in water demand for agriculture, industrial and domestic uses in the coming decades. Non-domestic use of water is much higher (95%) than domestic use (5%). It is projected that India may move into the category of water stressed nation by 2020. Comprehensive planning, therefore, is needed to meet the ever increasing demand of water. Wastewater has been an untapped resource in India till now. As per the latest estimate 38,255 mld of wastewater is generated in the country. This waste water can be reused for non-domestic purposes. Recycling of wastewater may help to reduce pollution of land and water bodies, reduce fresh water demand and also reduce the need for developing new sources of water supply. The National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) formulated in 2008 by Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India (GoI) addresses reuse of wastewater. Bangalore started reuse of water in 1990s, which is first in the country in the municipal sector. Efforts have also been made by Gujarat Urban Development Corporation in this direction and it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Doshion Ltd, a water management service company to build wastewater recycling plants in the state. Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has also taken the initiative for waste water recycle. In this paper, we will examine the efforts made by the SMC in managing waste water.