In a landmark move toward sustainable urban water management, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has set an ambitious target to achieve 100 per cent reuse of tertiary treated water across the city within the next six months.
P.C. Meena, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GMDA, issued a strict directive to officials during a high-level review meeting, mandating that not a single drop of tertiary treated water be discharged into Drain No. 8 (Najafgarh drain).
This initiative aims to curb wastage, replenish depleting groundwater levels, and drastically reduce the city’s reliance on freshwater for non-potable requirements.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including industrial representatives, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, and civic officials, to strategise on maximising the use of treated water for industrial processes, irrigation of green belts and parks, groundwater recharge and even firefighting operations.
Currently, the city has already made significant strides in wastewater recycling. The Dhanwapur STP is successfully supplying 143 MLD of tertiary treated water for irrigation in villages along its channel, while the Behrampur STP contributes approximately 70 MLD toward industrial use, park maintenance and the replenishment of water bodies. Notably, the local textile industry has taken a proactive approach, utilising 10 MLD of water from the Behrampur STP through its own dedicated pipeline and pumping infrastructure.
The economic and ecological benefits of this transition are already becoming clear, as the GMDA currently generates Rs 30 lakh in monthly revenue through its supply of treated water to industrial consumers.
