Govt plans reclaimed water policy to boost treated water use, cut groundwater extraction

To enhance usage of treated water and reduce groundwater extraction, the Delhi government is planning a ‘Reclaimed Water Policy’, Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Tuesday. Delhi treats around 750 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, after accounting for environmental flow, around 483 MGD is available for reuse, while only about 120 MGD is currently being reused.

“Nearly 363 MGD of treated water remains available for greater beneficial reuse. Reclaimed water will progressively replace potable water and groundwater used for horticulture, construction, landscaping, washing, industrial cooling and other non-potable uses,” Singh said.

DJB is initiating a detailed stakeholder discussion, after which the policy will be sent to the government for approval, he added.

The policy was approved by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in its recent board meeting, under which reclaimed (treated) water will be made available for usage and even made mandatory for some uses, including construction and horticulture activities. 

“Eligible farmhouse use will be charged at Rs 10,000 per acre per month, with a one-time infrastructure charge of Rs 1 lakh per acre where infrastructure is not already available. Applications will be considered for holdings of 100 acres or more,” Singh said in a statement.

The treated water will be supplied at `8 per kilolitre from designated sewage treatment plant (STP) filling points or existing DJB infrastructure. Where consumers arrange or bear the cost of conveyance infrastructure, the rate will be `5 per kilolitre for general non-potable uses. The DJB plans to notify ‘Reclaimed Water Service Areas’ around compliant sewage treatment plants (STPs) and connected sewer networks to ensure a dependable supply.

“Construction sites measuring 500 square metres or more in these notified areas would be required to use reclaimed water for dust suppression, curing, washing and road watering.

“Bulk water consumers would also be brought under a phased substitution programme, with the policy targeting 100 per cent use of reclaimed water for eligible non-potable requirements by 2036,” Singh further said.

Under the plan, a fit-for-purpose approach, under which treatment and quality requirements would depend on the intended use. It would also require safeguards such as colour coding, identification, metering, on-site storage and physical separation between reclaimed-water and potable-water systems.

Authorised DJB officers would be empowered to inspect premises, examine records and collect samples. Violations of mandatory requirements would attract penalties.