Gujarat govt to roll out Water Reuse Policy 2.0 to boost treated-water usage

The Gujarat government is preparing to introduce Water Reuse Policy 2.0, aiming to address shortcomings in the 2020 policy. The new version will mandate use of treated wastewater by industrial units, real-estate developers and civic bodies, enforce proportional water reuse, and reduce groundwater dependence by offering cheaper treated water compared with fresh sources.

After failing to achieve intended results with its 2020 policy, the Gujarat govt is finalizing the Water Reuse Policy 2.0, which, according to sources, will make it mandatory for industrial units, real estate developers and urban civic bodies to use treated water.

In another significant policy shift, the urban development department (UDD) will now monitor and regulate the mechanism of water use by these sections. Until now, the water resources department was entrusted with this task.

According to official sources, about 4,300MLD (million litres per day) of industrial effluent and sewage is treated in the state, but only about 1,000MLD is reused, with a major chunk of treated water being released into water bodies. The cost of treating effluents and sewage is about Rs 10 for every 1,000 litres. "A majority of the treated sewage and effluent is wasted as it is not used. The govt is finalizing a policy where there can be optimal use of treated water," an official source said.

According to sources, as of now, a majority of the treated water is used in agriculture. "Industries have been purchasing water from the water resources department and the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB). Henceforth, this mechanism will be overseen by the UDD. It will now be mandatory for industries, civic bodies, real estate developers and others to use treated water. The incentive for them will be that treated water will be priced cheaper than the water they are presently procuring," said officials.

According to officials, industries, civic bodies, real estate developers and others will have to use treated water in proportion to their usage.Industries with a higher requirement of water will have to purchase proportionally higher quantities of treated water. Real estate developers will also have to reduce dependence on groundwater for their requirements, sources close to the development said.Official sources admitted that the targets of the existing water reuse policy, announced in 2020, were not achieved. "The proposed water reuse policy will be aimed at maximising the use of treated water in the state," official sources said.