Securing India’s Water Future Using Treated Wastewater: A Need for Groundwater Recharge Standards

Global water scarcity has made it imperative to consider treated wastewater (TWW) reuse as a sustainable solution. This study investigates national and international standards pertaining to the reuse of TWW by literature search. Several countries have comprehensive guidelines covering diverse aspects of TWW reuse, India’s guideline is still evolving, hindered by monitoring challenges and complex regulatory framework. The current ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in India discourages TWW reuse. India lacks specific standards for TWW in indirect groundwater (GW) recharge, unlike Australia, Europe, and Jordan. However, Bengaluru has successfully implemented a large-scale TWW recycling for indirect GW recharge meeting bathing water standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board. Countries with sandy soils and low temperatures face distinct challenges in TWW reuse, requiring strict standards. However, these standards may not be applicable to India, given its diverse soil types and high temperatures. The implementation of 4-tier safety, involving wastewater treatment, storage, exposure to algal consortia, and passage through soil, offers opportunities for the degradation of various chemicals. The study argues that India should prioritize improving upstream regulation to address inefficient wastewater management, rather than solely relying on strict end-of-pipe solutions. Instead of pursuing costly treatment levels to meet stringent discharge standards, the focus should be on meeting bathing water quality standards in surface tank for GW recharge as primary concerns arise from skin contact rather than potential pathogen intake. This study provides relevance to developing countries grappling with water scarcity. It advocates establishing guidelines/standards for wastewater reuse based on geographical and climatic conditions.