Delhi plans to make treated water mandatory for construction

The Delhi government is set to implement a new policy requiring treated water for construction and horticulture activities, as announced by Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh. Currently, the Delhi Jal Board treats 750 million gallons a day of sewage, with 483 MGD available for reuse. However, only about 120 MGD is currently being reused, leaving 350 MGD untapped for beneficial reuse.

This treated water will gradually replace potable water and groundwater for various non-potable uses such as horticulture, construction, landscaping, washing, industrial cooling, and more. The policy will progressively replace potable water and groundwater for these purposes. DJB is currently engaging in stakeholder discussions and will submit the policy for final approval from the government.

With new treatment plants under construction, the city's sewage treatment capacity is expected to increase to 1,015 MGD, with a target of reaching 1,500 MGD. The minister emphasized the importance of planning for population growth in the next 30-40 years and highlighted the benefits of using treated water, including conserving freshwater, reducing groundwater dependence, and converting treated sewage into a valuable resource.