Wastewater Treatment Sector Overview
Water supplies are under threat all around the world and India is no exception to this. The rising population and rapid urbanisation are adding too much of stress on the supply side of water in many a parts of India. The groundwater tables have depleted faster than it is replenised again by mother Nature. The problem of water scarcity is looming large for our future generations. It has the potential to jeopardise the growth bandwagon of the country. As the country grows, the demand for safe drinking water is bound to increase manifold. Due to limited supply of water, the need of the hour is to put in place effective water and wastewater treatment strategy. There is an urgent need to construct a robust and energy efficient water infrastructure. Rainwater harvesting, water recycling and re-using water is the way forward.The water and wastewater sectoral players in India can play a major role in treating, recycling water that can be reused for various purposes, thus saving the freshwater for consumption. Sandeep Sharma examines the growth and opportunities in the Wastewater industry in India.
CLEANING AND REJUVENATION OF WATER BODIES
The main source of water in many parts of India are the river bodies. Water is a scarce resource and our existence depends on the availability of precious water to drink. Due to negligence of the authorities and businesses, the rivers are polluted every now and then. When prescribed norms to discharge waste into the water bodies are not adhered to, the problem becomes acute as the clean water gets contaminated due to the sewage released, thus reducing the availability of clean drinking water for the masses. River cleaning and rejuvenation is an ongoing activity. States/UTs, Local Bodies, and Industrial Units are responsible for ensuring that sewage and industrial effluents are treated to the prescribed standards in sewage treatment plants/effluent treatment plants (ETPs) before being discharged into rivers and other water bodies, coastal waters, or land to prevent and control pollution.
NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME
The National Mission for Clean Ganga is achieving the goal of revitalizing the Ganga River. The Indian government has approved the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for the rejuvenation of the Ganga and its tributaries, which NMCG is undertaking using a river basin strategy. NMCG has undertaken a wide range of interventions in the areas of wastewater treatment, solid waste management, riverfront management (including the creation of ghats and crematoria), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and public participation, among others. Through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for the Ganga and its tributaries and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has supplemented the efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for pollution abatement in identified stretches of rivers across the country.
One of the most essential aspects of these programmes is the establishment of STPs. With a project sanctioned cost of ₹5961.75 crore, the NRCP has so far addressed polluted stretches of 34 rivers in 77 towns throughout 16 states in the country, and a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litre per day (mld) has been built, among other things. So far, 364 projects have been sanctioned under the Namami Gange Programme, with an estimated cost of ₹30,853 crore, and 183 projects have been completed and made operational.
As per Ministry of Jal Shakti, on the Ganga main stem towns (97 towns), projects have been taken up to create 3341 MLD sewerage treatment capacity against generation of 2953 MLD (in 2016). The STP capacity in the main stem have increased from 1305 MLD (2014) to 2372 MLD (Nov 21). 42 projects have been taken up in towns located along river Yamuna, Hindon, Kali (East and West), Ramganga, Saryu, Gomti, Chambal, Rispana-Bindal, Dhela, Kharkai, Son, Kosi, Damodar, Banka and Barakar.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) collaborate with the National Mission for Clean Ganga to monitor river water quality and assess the river’s health. The river water quality of the various previously polluted portions has improved as a result of numerous initiatives within the Namami Gange Programme since its beginning in 2015-16. As of 2021, none of the Ganga Stretches are in priority categories I through IV, and just two are in Category V, according to CPCB data. The major indicator, dissolved oxygen (DO), has been found to be within acceptable criteria for primary bathing quality at all 84 monitoring locations in the main stem of the river Ganga, according to water quality median data for 2021 (January to May). Other critical river health indicators, such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Faecal Coliform (FC), were also found to be within acceptable levels in 68 of the 84 monitoring locations and 33 of the 80 monitoring locations, respectively. The National Mission for Clean Ganga is undertaking different projects for the conservation and regeneration of the Ganga and its tributaries, which is a continual process.
ATAL MISSION FOR REJUVENATION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION (AMRUT)
As of December 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed that 883 sewerage and septage management projects worth ₹34,081 crore have been taken up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with 370 projects worth ₹8,258 crore completed so far. ₹15883 crore has been provided to States/UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, which was launched in October 2021, for wastewater/used water management, including the establishment of STPs and FSTPs (fecal sludge treatment plants).
POLICY MECHANISM, MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE
Industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into rivers and water bodies under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974. As a result, the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees keep track of industries’ effluent discharge standards and take action if they don’t comply with the laws. The strict compliance can help India to safeguard its fresh water resources.
CLEANING AND REJUVENATION OF WATER BODIES
The main source of water in many parts of India are the river bodies. Water is a scarce resource and our existence depends on the availability of precious water to drink. Due to negligence of the authorities and businesses, the rivers are polluted every now and then. When prescribed norms to discharge waste into the water bodies are not adhered to, the problem becomes acute as the clean water gets contaminated due to the sewage released, thus reducing the availability of clean drinking water for the masses. River cleaning and rejuvenation is an ongoing activity. States/UTs, Local Bodies, and Industrial Units are responsible for ensuring that sewage and industrial effluents are treated to the prescribed standards in sewage treatment plants/effluent treatment plants (ETPs) before being discharged into rivers and other water bodies, coastal waters, or land to prevent and control pollution.
NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME
The National Mission for Clean Ganga is achieving the goal of revitalizing the Ganga River. The Indian government has approved the ‘Namami Gange’ programme for the rejuvenation of the Ganga and its tributaries, which NMCG is undertaking using a river basin strategy. NMCG has undertaken a wide range of interventions in the areas of wastewater treatment, solid waste management, riverfront management (including the creation of ghats and crematoria), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and public participation, among others. Through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for the Ganga and its tributaries and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has supplemented the efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for pollution abatement in identified stretches of rivers across the country.
One of the most essential aspects of these programmes is the establishment of STPs. With a project sanctioned cost of ₹5961.75 crore, the NRCP has so far addressed polluted stretches of 34 rivers in 77 towns throughout 16 states in the country, and a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litre per day (mld) has been built, among other things. So far, 364 projects have been sanctioned under the Namami Gange Programme, with an estimated cost of ₹30,853 crore, and 183 projects have been completed and made operational.
As per Ministry of Jal Shakti, on the Ganga main stem towns (97 towns), projects have been taken up to create 3341 MLD sewerage treatment capacity against generation of 2953 MLD (in 2016). The STP capacity in the main stem have increased from 1305 MLD (2014) to 2372 MLD (Nov 21). 42 projects have been taken up in towns located along river Yamuna, Hindon, Kali (East and West), Ramganga, Saryu, Gomti, Chambal, Rispana-Bindal, Dhela, Kharkai, Son, Kosi, Damodar, Banka and Barakar.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) collaborate with the National Mission for Clean Ganga to monitor river water quality and assess the river’s health. The river water quality of the various previously polluted portions has improved as a result of numerous initiatives within the Namami Gange Programme since its beginning in 2015-16. As of 2021, none of the Ganga Stretches are in priority categories I through IV, and just two are in Category V, according to CPCB data. The major indicator, dissolved oxygen (DO), has been found to be within acceptable criteria for primary bathing quality at all 84 monitoring locations in the main stem of the river Ganga, according to water quality median data for 2021 (January to May). Other critical river health indicators, such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Faecal Coliform (FC), were also found to be within acceptable levels in 68 of the 84 monitoring locations and 33 of the 80 monitoring locations, respectively. The National Mission for Clean Ganga is undertaking different projects for the conservation and regeneration of the Ganga and its tributaries, which is a continual process.
ATAL MISSION FOR REJUVENATION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION (AMRUT)
As of December 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed that 883 sewerage and septage management projects worth ₹34,081 crore have been taken up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with 370 projects worth ₹8,258 crore completed so far. ₹15883 crore has been provided to States/UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, which was launched in October 2021, for wastewater/used water management, including the establishment of STPs and FSTPs (fecal sludge treatment plants).
POLICY MECHANISM, MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE
Industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into rivers and water bodies under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974. As a result, the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees keep track of industries’ effluent discharge standards and take action if they don’t comply with the laws. The strict compliance can help India to safeguard its fresh water resources.
Furthermore, States/UTs are required to implement approved action plans, including the installation of wastewater treatment plants, for the restoration of polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines, in accordance with the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding the rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country. Regular reviews of action plan implementation are conducted in the States/UTs and at the Central level, as per NGT instructions.
MARKET SIZE
According to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s ‘Indian Water and Wastewater Treatment Growth Opportunities’ report, India’s water consumption will double up by 2030, resulting in severe water scarcity for millions of people. The Indian market for water and wastewater treatment is expanding and attracting a lot of attention. Through regulatory framework and policy initiatives, the government is encouraging private sector investment in the water and wastewater treatment segment. The wastewater treatment market provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to participate and streamline the water supply chain across the country, taking full advantage of government backed funding for such projects. According to Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, India’s wastewater treatment plants market was worth USD 2.4 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow to USD 4.3 billion by 2025, owing to rising demand for municipal water and sewage water treatment facilities across the country. According to a report by BlueWeave Consulting, the India wastewater treatment plants market was worth USD 2.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to increase to USD 5.3 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 10.8% over the forecast period. Due to severe government regulations and rising water pollution in India, the market for wastewater treatment facilities is quickly expanding. Furthermore, water treatment and sewerage treatment plants in the residential sector are getting more advanced, fueling market expansion.
DEMAND V/S SUPPLY
India is experiencing its worst water crisis in history, according to a 2019 NITI Aayog report on Water Management Index. The entire utilizable water reserve in India is estimated to be 1,123 billion cubic metre (BCM). In 2017, roughly 946 BCM were used across all sectors, including agricultural (91.0%), industry (2.0%), and domestic consumption (7.0 percent ). In a conservative scenario, India’s water consumption would rise to 1,100 BCM by 2025, assuming a 1.2 percent annual population growth rate and a 7.0 percent annual GDP growth rate. In comparison to the predicted water availability of 1,123 BCM, these water demand projections show a net marginal positive balance of only 23 BCM by 2025. The country, however, is projected to confront water supply constraints due to uneven water distribution. By 2027, the water balance is expected to be negative, with a negative 277 BCM by 2050. The threat of water scarcity is imminent and all the stakeholders need to address this issue in time. The wastewater treatment market players is likely to benefit as its contribution becomes significant to address the future water crisis in India.
INDUSTRY PLAYERS
Some of the key players dominating the Indian Wastewater segment include: Larsen & Toubro, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, Doshion Veolia Water Solutions, Thermax Limited, GE Water, VA Tech Wabag Limited, Ion Exchange India Limited, Ecolab, Triveni Engineering & Industries Limited, Siemens India Water Technologies, Voltas, Shapoorji Pallonji And Company, Hindustan Dorr-Oliver, Paramount, Toshiba Water Solutions, UEM India, SFC Environmental Technologies, W.O.G. Technology, WTE Infra Projects, and many others.
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Some of the recent announcements and project opportunities pertaining to the Wastewater sector in India include:
By collaborating with the government of India and the government of NCT of Delhi, Larsen and Toubro, a technology, manufacturing, engineering, and construction conglomerate, has successfully built and commissioned the country’s largest Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with A20 technology at Coronation Pillar in Delhi. The 318 MLD, state-of-the-art plant, built in a joint venture with Passavant Energy and Environment GmbH and funded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, the government of India, and the Delhi Jal Board, will treat 10% of Delhi’s sewage and is a significant step toward cleaning the Yamuna river.
The Kerala Water Authority has decided to setup a 190 MLD water treatment plant over 3.9 acre of land, near the Periyar river in Aluva, at an estimated cost of ₹285 crore. The detailed project report is ready, the work is likely to start once the State Government approves the project. The project will meet the drinking water requirements of the residents in 13 panchayats near Aluva; five municipalities and Kochi Corporation.
The Mohali Municipal Corporation has planned to use treated water from the Sewage Treatment Plant to irrigate parks. This will aid in the conservation of drinking water. The decision was made recently at the Municipal Corporation’s Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting. It was also decided to purchase four new tractors and two tankers for irrigation of city parks using treated water from the Sewage Treatment Plant.
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) intends to increase the capacity of the Basai water treatment plant (WTP) by twenty-five per cent. Nathupur, Sikanderpur, and sectors 9, 10, 15, 21, 22, 23, 31, 40, and 43 are among the places that will benefit from this augmentation project. The project is estimated to cost ₹9.6 crore.
Evonik Catalysts has launched a new Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) unit at its location in Dombivli, Maharashtra. The new plant minimises the quantity of fresh water intake for manufacturing operations while also converting previously discarded materials into marketable goods.
The West Bengal government has given the Kolkata Municipal Corporation permission to expand the capacity of the Dhapa water treatment facility in the city’s eastern outskirts. The Dhapa water treatment plant can currently produce 30 million gallons per day, but with the expansion, it will be able to produce 20 million gallons per day, a 66% increase.
Delhi Jal Board is implementing the water purification project at Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant in Delhi. The project is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Delhi Water Supply Improvement Project. The 477 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chandrawal, which is being built by contracting firm L&T to replace existing water treatment plants, will be fitted with Toshiba’s ozonation systems, which will have three ozone generators with each a capacity of 31 kilogramme per hour.
Hubert Enviro Care Systems Private Limited (HECS) had acquired a 2.5-acre industrial land piece at SIPCOT Vallam Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Chennai, and is setting up its second production unit for FRP Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants. The project’s first phase is planned to be completed in July 2022.
Daiki Axis India, a sewage treatment plant manufacturer, has put aside ₹500 crore over the next three years to set up facilities in the country’s southern regions.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (HMWS&SB) is building an 86.50 MLD sewage treatment facility at Uppal Nallacheruvu and a 320 MLD sewage treatment plant in Nagole. These plants will be ready by October 2022.
MOVING FORWARD
The need of the hour is to implement effective water management and treatment measures by integrating innovation and state-of-the-art technology which is energy efficient. The government has to ensure that no water bodies are contaminated due to release of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents. The regulatory framework has to be strengthened further so that proper monitoring and regular inspection is conducted to ensure that the sewage/effluent treatment plant in industries are 100 per cent functional. India’s water treatment capacity is 27.3 percent, while its sewage treatment capacity is 18.6 percent, according to a report published by the Central Pollution Control Board in March 2021. The country’s wastewater treatment facilities are in high demand as the country’s urban population continues to rise, putting a strain on fresh water supplies. According to a UN survey, 40.76 percent of India’s population will be living in cities by 2030, contributing to market growth. Municipal administrations in numerous places across India make use of wastewater technology. The adoption of such technologies are on the rise by the Urban Local Bodies (ULB’s) across India, thus providing billion dollar opportunity for wastewater companies in India. Water is a finite resource, and the only way to keep it from running out is to conserve, treat, and reuse it. The technology can play a major role in achieving this.