Rethinking water management through a circular economy

This summer, major cities in the country struggled with acute water shortage with natural water bodies and reservoirs running dry. A report by Niti Aayog further reiterates this dire condition by stating that over 21 cities are expected to run out of groundwater by 2020. With demand for water supply expected to double by 2030 and ‘Day Zero’ situation becoming an impending reality, the country is at the cusp of an unprecedented water stressed era.

Water is a limited resource and it is currently being monopolized in an unregulated manner. The general perception is that fresh water can only be used once. A conscious thought must be given to recycling or reusing the same water for multiple purposes. For example, in residences, water used in the shower and kitchen can be cleaned and reused to water plants or to flush toilets. 

Considering the criticality of the current situation, a paradigm shift from a linear approach to a circular economy for water must become the norm. The circular economy is designed to keep materials at its highest value while repurposing it till it reaches the end of its lifecycle. Circular water management can help mitigate this looming crisis significantly as water is used multiple times while retaining its value. Water experts believe that water can be reused upto seven times before it is disposed.

Wastewater treatment as a frontrunner

Subsequently, this means that effective wastewater treatment will need to be a cornerstone for this circular economy to thrive. Such treatment processes must become a mainstay at residential and commercial buildings so that grey water and black water can be recycled. From a macro perspective, all cities must be well equipped with sewage treatment plants as well. 

The wastewater which is treated can also be used extensively by industrial processes and agriculture. The effluent from industries can be treated and reused in agriculture and vice versa, thereby reducing the overall water usage in all water intensive sectors. Industries must also proactively explore avenues to ensure that their effluent discharge water is cleaner than the fresh water they received or extracted.

Need for improved water management and distribution

From time immemorial, water distribution has always been a source of conflict that has amplified tensions between communities, states and regions. A centralized water body with local representation will be able to alleviate some of this tension. Water conservation and management should be approached holistically with well thought out policies and incentives.  Radical thinking and technology driven solutions are a must to effectively distribute water.  

Water leakage has emerged as a major challenge for distribution. In India, water leakage or non-revenue water accounts for 40-70% of the loss. Effective pressure management can help avoid this leakage. Technology advancements such as ‘Demand Driven Distribution’ solutions will be able to regulate the pressure through sensors in pipes, as high-pressure during periods of low consumption increases loss of water through the leakages in pipes.

Besides this, while some parts of the country witnessed severe drought, other areas were victims of floods due to unpredictable monsoons. Here what is critical, is proper flood mitigation solutions and processes. Water accessibility is at two extreme ends in this situation as water is available at the wrong time, wrong place and in the wrong quantity. The excess water can be channeled to groundwater recharge pits, reservoirs and other storage locations. A balance must be found between these water surplus and deficient areas.

Indian states have also been looking at overhauling water pricing and rewarding optimal usage. Water pricing is intricate and is often a political and sensitive subject. While currently the water charges are typically decided on a volumetric basis to ensure fair access and pricing, the charges must be rational, and the process must be transparent. In most cases the cost of water is way below the cost of even pumping it. Water needs to also be priced in such a manner to encourage its conservation. For example, in countries like Demark there is a pricing even for wastewater. This automatically encourages optimal use of the water being consumed.

India’s decision makers and citizens must rethink their conventional approach towards water management by adopting a circular economy. This paradigm shift of working with water in a circular economy can be the country’s answer to its water problems. 

N K Ranganath

Guest Author Ranganath N K is the area Managing Director, INDO region, Grundfos. He joined Grundfos in February 1998 and established Grundfos India in March 1998. He has more than 36 years of industry experience covering marketing, sales, design, project management, finance and human resources. Prior to joining Grundfos, he was the Director of IAEC Industries. His first job was with Eicher Tractors in sales. Ranganath has been involved in technology transfer to India from other countries including Denmark. His focus has and is Water and Energy Conservation. He has a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from College of Engineering, Guindy (1978) and Post-Graduation in Business Administration (P.G.D.B.A.,) from XLRI, Jamshedpur (1980).