Industrial water and wastewater treatment plays a crucial role in achieving national sustainability goals, particularly under the framework of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which seeks universal access to clean water and improved sanitation by 2030. Water is one of the most vital natural resources, yet it is often undervalued. Industrial processes have historically contributed to significant water pollution, threatening the availability of clean water. The discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from industrial plants contaminates water bodies, posing severe risks to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, wastewater treatment is essential for mitigating these impacts and ensuring sustainable water management.
Traditionally, wastewater was viewed as a byproduct with no value. However, advances in technology have transformed wastewater into a valuable resource. Treated wastewater can now be reused for various purposes, including irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable water. This shift not only reduces the strain on freshwater resources but also promotes a circular economy, where water is continuously reused. By implementing advanced treatment technologies, industries can convert wastewater into safe, clean water, contributing significantly to national water security and sustainability efforts.
The benefits of industrial wastewater treatment extend beyond environmental protection. Economically, industries that recycle and reuse water can lower operational costs, reduce regulatory fines, and tap into new opportunities within the water technology sector. Socially, improved wastewater treatment enhances public health by preventing waterborne diseases and ensuring a steady supply of clean water. These benefits align closely with SDG 6, which aims to improve water quality through increased recycling and safe reuse, while significantly reducing untreated wastewater.
To maximize the potential of wastewater treatment, continued research and technological innovation are essential. Emerging technologies such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, and biological treatment systems are making wastewater treatment more efficient and energy-effective. Investing in these innovations will help countries, particularly those in the developing world, accelerate progress toward achieving water and sanitation targets.
In conclusion, industrial wastewater treatment is a key driver of sustainability, supporting environmental conservation, economic growth, and social well-being. To meet global water challenges and achieve SDG 6, governments, industries, and researchers must work together to prioritize wastewater treatment and invest in innovative solutions. By doing so, they can unlock the full potential of wastewater reuse and contribute to a more sustainable future.
National Sustainability Goals represent a comprehensive framework aimed at fostering economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. In India, these goals align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include 17 overarching objectives and 169 specific targets to be achieved by 2030. The Indian government has integrated these SDGs into its national development policies, focusing on diverse areas such as poverty eradication, food security, quality education, gender equality, and sustainable resource management. A critical component of these goals is SDG 6, which ensures the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
SDG 6 comprises eight interconnected targets and 11 indicators that measure progress. These targets not only emphasize universal access to safe and affordable drinking water but also promote water-use efficiency, pollution reduction, and the restoration of water-related ecosystems. Given water’s centrality to other SDGs, such as health, education, and economic growth, SDG 6 plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development.
India has implemented several policies to address water conservation and management challenges. The National Water Policy (NWP) (2012) focuses on the optimal utilization of water resources, addressing issues like scarcity, inequitable distribution, and fragmented management. Similarly, the National Water Mission (NWM) aims to conserve water, reduce wastage, and ensure equitable distribution. Programs like Atal Bhujal Yojana and Har Ghar Jal focus on groundwater management and providing piped water to rural households.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign emphasizes rainwater harvesting and water conservation across urban and rural areas. Its five key interventions—water conservation, inventory of water bodies, scientific planning, establishing Jal Shakti Kendras, and afforestation—are complemented by efforts like de-silting water bodies, rejuvenating small rivers, and geo-tagging water assets. Innovative practices, such as snow harvesting in Ladakh, also reflect region-specific strategies for water sustainability.
Other government initiatives include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which support water resource management and irrigation efficiency. Urban-focused policies like the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aim to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure in cities.
Together, these policies and programs demonstrate India’s commitment to achieving its National Sustainability Goals by ensuring sustainable water management, which is foundational to the nation’s long-term development and well-being.
While industrial activities have significantly improved living standards, they have also placed immense pressure on global water resources. Industries consume large quantities of water and discharge substantial volumes of wastewater, often rendering it unsuitable for reuse. This excessive demand strains vital resources like groundwater, contributing to its depletion. The sheer scale of industrial wastewater discharge can be staggering—comparable to draining an Olympic-sized swimming pool every second.
The problem is not limited to the quantity of water used; the quality of freshwater resources also deteriorates when untreated wastewater is discharged into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. This creates a dual crisis: the depletion of clean water sources and the pollution of those that remain.
In this context, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a vital role in mitigating water scarcity and conserving resources. These often-overlooked facilities are critical to sustainable water management, transforming industrial wastewater into a resource rather than waste. Here’s how WWTPs contribute to resource conservation:
Wastewater treatment plants serve as resource recovery hubs, not merely disposal systems. Advanced technologies allow for the extraction of valuable resources such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and other agricultural nutrients. These recovered materials can be used in fertilizers, promoting sustainable agriculture. Additionally, organic matter in wastewater can be converted into biogas, providing a renewable energy source, thereby contributing to the circular economy.
Industrial wastewater contains a variety of pollutants, including harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. If released untreated, these contaminants can severely degrade water quality, harm aquatic ecosystems, and disrupt biodiversity. WWTPs remove these pollutants, ensuring that the treated water meets stringent environmental and safety standards before being released back into nature.
By treating wastewater for reuse in industrial operations, irrigation, or other non-potable applications, WWTPs reduce the demand for freshwater. This is especially critical in water-scarce regions, where every drop of water saved helps balance human needs and environmental sustainability. Reusing treated water lessens the extraction of groundwater and surface water, preserving these natural resources for future generations.
Untreated wastewater can pose severe risks to public health, spreading waterborne diseases and exposing communities to hazardous chemicals. Proper treatment ensures that water released into the environment is safe, significantly reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and protecting public health.
Wastewater treatment aligns closely with sustainable development principles. By fostering responsible water use and minimizing environmental impact, WWTPs support long-term sustainability goals. They contribute to the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring that water is managed and reused responsibly, reducing the overall environmental footprint of industrial activities.
Water treatment plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and ensuring community well-being. Wastewater treatment systems are specifically designed to remove harmful contaminants and toxic compounds, producing water that is safe for consumption and use. These systems are essential not only for preventing diseases but also for supporting sustainable development and improving the overall health of populations. Here’s a closer look at the importance of water treatment for public health:
One of the most critical functions of water treatment is its ability to prevent waterborne diseases. Untreated water is often laden with harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause serious illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A. These diseases thrive in areas with limited access to clean water, posing significant health risks. By effectively removing pathogens, water treatment systems drastically reduce the incidence of these illnesses, saving countless lives and improving public health outcomes.
Children are particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, which contribute to high rates of mortality and morbidity among young populations. Access to safe drinking water is crucial for the health and development of children, not only for hydration but also for cooking and maintaining personal hygiene. By minimizing exposure to infectious agents, clean water helps prevent illnesses that can hinder physical and cognitive growth. Healthy children are more likely to attend school regularly and engage in activities that foster their development, ultimately contributing to the social and economic progress of their communities.
While the primary focus of water treatment is on public health, its benefits extend to economic development. Clean water is indispensable for various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and textiles. Ensuring an adequate supply of treated water reduces dependency on limited freshwater resources and promotes equitable distribution across sectors. Additionally, investing in water treatment infrastructure stimulates local economies by creating jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance. It also drives innovation in water conservation and recycling technologies, supporting a circular economy where water resources are managed efficiently and sustainably.
Wastewater treatment offers significant economic advantages, including substantial cost savings and resource optimization. By reducing the demand for freshwater, industries can minimize water procurement and operational costs. Additionally, the reuse of treated wastewater in industrial processes further lowers the dependency on freshwater sources, contributing to long-term financial savings. Beyond these direct benefits, wastewater treatment generates other economic gains, such as resource recovery and energy production:
During the desalination process, a highly saline by-product known as brine is produced. Brine, often considered waste, can be repurposed for industrial applications. For instance, it can substitute potable water in the manufacturing of products like cement and contains valuable compounds such as sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, which are essential in various industries. In Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, advanced thermal and electrochemical technologies prevent brine disposal by extracting usable residual solids, including potassium and gypsum. These materials are valuable inputs for fertilizer production, enhancing agricultural productivity.
Advances in wastewater treatment technologies enable the generation of more energy from wastewater than what is consumed during the treatment process. In anaerobic conditions, bacteria break down organic waste in wastewater, releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Instead of releasing methane into the atmosphere, treatment plants can capture and burn it to generate energy, thereby reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, biofuels can be produced as by-products of wastewater treatment. Technologies such as hydrothermal processing convert organic waste, including sewage sludge and microalgae, into energy-dense liquid fuels. These biofuels serve as low-carbon alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, promoting a more sustainable energy future.
Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, often found in wastewater, need to be removed before treated water is released to prevent environmental harm. However, these nutrients are valuable for agriculture as they are key components of fertilizers. Wastewater treatment plants can recover these nutrients in the form of struvite, a mineral containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. Struvite-based fertilizers offer a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers, supporting agricultural productivity while reducing the reliance on mined resources.
In this article, we have explored the significant role wastewater treatment plays in advancing national sustainability goals. It’s not just about conserving millions of gallons of water but about taking a crucial step toward achieving sustainability on a larger scale. By treating wastewater, industries can reduce their environmental footprint, recover valuable resources, and contribute to a circular economy.
At Wipro Water, we leverage cutting-edge technologies to provide efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions tailored to your industrial needs. Our systems not only help you optimize water usage but also unlock economic opportunities by turning waste into valuable resources—all while aligning with global and national sustainability objectives. Let us help you transform wastewater management into a powerful tool for achieving your environmental and business goals.