Toolkit for developing city action plans for reusing treated wastewater

The increasing demand for water resources in urban areas has led to significant challenges in water management, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. The "Toolkit for preparing city action plans for reuse of treated used water" provides a comprehensive guide to help cities manage their water resources more sustainably by promoting the reuse of treated used water.

This toolkit, developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), offers practical steps for cities to assess, plan, and implement effective strategies for treated used water reuse.

The primary objective of the toolkit is to assist cities, particularly those in the Ganga Basin, in preparing action plans for managing treated used water within their limits. The toolkit aims to:

1. Provide a framework for cities to assess the availability and quality of treated used water.
2. Identify potential reuse avenues and set realistic targets for treated used water application.
3. Guide the planning and design of interventions for treated used water reuse.
4. Recommend enabling policy measures to support the implementation of treated used water projects.
5. Establish monitoring, evaluation, and learning mechanisms to ensure the success and sustainability of treated used water reuse projects.

The toolkit focuses on the reuse of treated used water generated within urban areas, managed by urban local bodies and para-statal organisations. It extends its scope to include private establishments through policy recommendations, encouraging responsible water treatment, disposal, and reuse practices.

The toolkit is structured around five key components, each addressing a critical aspect of treated used water management. These components provide a systematic approach for cities to effectively plan, implement, and sustain treated used water reuse projects.

Mapping the existing treated used water available for reuse: The first step in the toolkit involves mapping the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure in the city. This includes identifying all sewage treatment plants, their capacities, and the technologies they use. It also involves assessing the quality of treated used water against national standards to ensure it is safe for reuse.

• • Infrastructure assessment: The first step involves a comprehensive mapping of the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure within the city. This includes identifying all sewage treatment plants, decentralised wastewater treatment systems, and other relevant facilities.
  • Capacity and location analysis: Detailed information on the capacity, location, and operational status of each treatment plant is collected. This helps in understanding the distribution of treated water across the city.
  • Quality assessment: Evaluate the quality of treated used water by testing it against national and local regulatory standards. Parameters such as biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and pathogen levels are crucial to determining its suitability for various reuse applications.

Identifying reuse avenues and setting targets

• • Potential reuse applications: Identify and categorise potential reuse applications within the city. Common avenues include:
    • Industrial use: Process water for manufacturing industries, cooling water in power plants, and boiler feed water.
    • Agricultural irrigation: Irrigating crops, horticulture, and landscaping within urban and peri-urban areas.
    • Non-potable urban uses: Watering public parks, golf courses, and sports fields, as well as dust suppression in construction sites.
    • Recharge and environmental uses: Augmenting groundwater recharge, maintaining river flows, and supporting wetland ecosystems.
  • Demand and feasibility analysis: Assess the demand for treated water in each identified avenue, considering factors such as proximity to STPs, water quality requirements, and economic viability.
  • Setting targets: Based on the demand and feasibility analysis, set realistic and achievable targets for treated used water reuse. Targets should align with the city’s overall water management goals and consider long-term sustainability.

Planning and designing interventions

• • Intervention planning: Develop a detailed action plan outlining the necessary interventions to achieve the set targets. This includes:
    • Technology selection: Choose appropriate treatment technologies that can produce water of the required quality for the identified reuse applications. Technologies may include advanced filtration, membrane bioreactors, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection.
    • Infrastructure design: Plan the infrastructure needed for storage, distribution, and application of treated water. This may involve laying new pipelines, constructing storage tanks, and setting up distribution networks.
  • Funding and resource mobilisation: Identify potential funding sources, including government grants, public-private partnerships, and international funding agencies. Develop a financial plan that covers capital investment, operation, and maintenance costs.
  • Stakeholder engagement: Engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, community groups, and end-users. Collaborative planning and clear communication are essential for successful project implementation.

Enabling policy and regulatory measures

• • Policy development: Formulate policies and regulations that support treated used water reuse. This includes setting water quality standards for different reuse applications, establishing guidelines for infrastructure development, and creating incentives for compliance.
  • Regulatory framework: Develop a robust regulatory framework to oversee the implementation of treated used water projects. This should include:
    • Permitting and licencing: Establish a clear process for obtaining permits and licences for water reuse projects.
    • Monitoring and compliance: Set up mechanisms for regular monitoring of water quality and compliance with regulations. This includes routine inspections, sampling, and testing.
    • Enforcement and penalties: Define enforcement strategies and penalties for non-compliance to ensure adherence to policies and regulations.

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning of reuse projects

• • Monitoring systems: Implement continuous monitoring systems to track the quality and quantity of treated water being reused. This involves setting up real-time data collection and reporting mechanisms.
  • Performance evaluation: Conduct periodic evaluations of treated used water reuse projects to assess their performance against the set targets. Key performance indicators such as the volume of water reused, cost savings, and environmental benefits should be measured.
  • Feedback and learning: Establish feedback loops to capture lessons learned and best practices. Use this information to refine and improve future projects. Encourage knowledge sharing among cities and stakeholders to promote wider adoption of successful practices.
  • Reporting and transparency: Maintain transparency in project implementation by regularly reporting progress and outcomes to stakeholders and the public. This builds trust and ensures accountability.

By addressing these components comprehensively, the toolkit provides a practical roadmap for cities to effectively manage and reuse treated used water. This not only helps in conserving freshwater resources but also promotes environmental sustainability and economic resilience. 

The toolkit can be accessed here