Beyond Wastewater: Turning Used Water into a Resource

The government highlights Used Water Management (UWM) under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), focusing on treating wastewater, preventing untreated sewage from entering water bodies, and promoting safe reuse. Under SBM 2.0, projects worth ₹11,785 crore have been approved to build Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in small cities, adding 4,900 million litres per day (MLD) of treatment capacity. The initiative is reinforced by the Water Plus certification, ODF++ protocols, and long-term planning by Urban Local Bodies to foster a circular economy. The release details case studies from cities such as Jaipur, Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Tirupati, showcasing diverse strategies including automated treatment, industrial supply, revenue generation, and municipal reuse.