CEEW Released Used Water Management Report 2024

As India's urban population continues to surge, the demand for water resources has escalated, putting immense strain on the country's already dwindling groundwater tables. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has released a groundbreaking report that sheds light on the state of used water management across urban local bodies (ULBs) in India. The report introduces the first-of-its-kind Municipal Used Water Management (MUWM) Index, a comprehensive framework for assessing the performance of ULBs in treating and reusing used water for non-potable purposes.

The Pressing Need for Used Water Management

India's urban centers are grappling with an unprecedented water crisis, with rising demand and depleting groundwater reserves posing a severe threat to the sustainability of cities. According to the report, a staggering 72,000 million liters of used water is generated across the country, yet only 28% of it is treated, as per 2021 data. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for ULBs to prioritize the treatment and reuse of used water for non-potable purposes, such as horticulture and industrial applications.

However, the report highlights that a lack of targeted financial planning and investments remains a key barrier across 90% of ULBs, hindering their ability to effectively address this pressing issue.

The Municipal Used Water Management (MUWM) Index

In a bid to strengthen used water treatment and scale up its reuse, the CEEW report introduces the MUWM Index, a comprehensive framework that evaluates the performance of 503 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across 10 states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal – that have adopted treated used water reuse policies.

The index ranks ULBs comparatively based on five key themes:

1. Finance
2. Infrastructure
3. Efficiency
4. Governance
5. Data and Information

These themes encompass 27 indicators and 25 parameters, providing a comprehensive assessment of each ULB's performance in used water management.

CEEW Used Water Management Report ULBs State Ranking

The composite scores derived from the MUWM Index categorize ULBs into five distinct categories: Aspiring, Promising, Performing, Leading, and Outstanding. This categorization serves as a roadmap for ULBs to identify areas for improvement and adopt best practices from top-performing cities.

At the top end of the spectrum, Surat Municipal Corporation and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike emerged as 'Outstanding' performers, with dedicated action plans for used water management and exemplary performance in areas such as infrastructure and efficiency.

The CEEW report also provides valuable insights at the state level, identifying Haryana and Karnataka as leading states in used water management, with Punjab and Rajasthan following closely. Notably, states in eastern India, such as Jharkhand and West Bengal, are catching up, showcasing significant progress in their efforts to address this critical issue.

However, the report reveals that the majority of ULBs need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to used water management, as 60% of the ULBs lie in the bottom half of the index, falling under the 'Aspiring' and 'Promising' categories.

Enabling a Circular Economy in Used Water Management

The CEEW study, titled "Enabling Circular Economy in Used Water Management in India: A Municipal Index for Assessing Urban Local Bodies' Performance," emphasizes the importance of adopting a circular economy approach to used water management. By treating and reusing used water for non-potable purposes, ULBs can not only alleviate the burden on freshwater resources but also contribute to the overall sustainability of urban ecosystems.

The report's findings are based on the latest national-level sewage inventory data published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2021, as well as other government and non-government sources. This comprehensive data analysis provides a robust foundation for policymakers and stakeholders to develop targeted strategies and interventions.

Recommendations

To address the challenges highlighted in the report, the CEEW proposes several key recommendations for ULBs and policymakers:

• Prioritize used water treatment and reuse: ULBs should prioritize the treatment and reuse of used water for non-potable purposes, such as horticulture and industrial applications, to reduce the strain on freshwater resources and promote sustainable water management practices.
• Enhance financial planning and investments: Targeted financial planning and increased investments are crucial to scaling up used water treatment and reuse infrastructure. ULBs should explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and user charges, to generate the necessary funds.
• Adopt a circular economy approach: Embracing a circular economy approach to used water management can create economic opportunities, promote resource efficiency, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
• Strengthen data collection and monitoring: Robust data collection and monitoring mechanisms are essential for informed decision-making and effective policy implementation. ULBs should prioritize the development of comprehensive data management systems to track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing: Collaboration among ULBs, state governments, and relevant stakeholders can facilitate knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practices, accelerating the pace of progress in used water management across the country.

Way Forward

The CEEW report on the Municipal Used Water Management (MUWM) Index serves as a wake-up call for India's urban local bodies to prioritize the treatment and reuse of used water. By adopting a circular economy approach and embracing innovative strategies, ULBs can not only alleviate the burden on freshwater resources but also contribute to the overall sustainability of urban ecosystems.

As India continues to urbanize rapidly, addressing the challenges of used water management will be crucial in ensuring water security, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering economic growth. The MUWM Index provides a valuable framework for ULBs to assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement targeted interventions to scale up used water treatment and reuse.

By leveraging the findings and recommendations of this report, policymakers, stakeholders, and ULBs can collaborate to create a more sustainable and resilient future for India's urban centers, where used water is no longer viewed as a waste but as a valuable resource to be harnessed and integrated into a circular economy.