India advances wastewater reuse policies in Odisha and Delhi

Indian regional governments in Odisha and Delhi are advancing initiatives to improve urban wastewater management through reclamation and reuse strategies.

In Odisha, experts at the Odisha Urban Conclave 2026 advocated for a ‘treat, reuse and recover’ model. Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra emphasized viewing wastewater as a resource rather than waste to alleviate pressure on water supplies caused by rapid urbanization. The symposium focused on sustainable sludge management, resource recovery, and the need for scalable technical solutions.

In Delhi, the government is introducing the Reclaimed Water Policy 2026 to address water shortages. While sewage treatment plants process approximately 750 million gallons per day (MGD), only 120 MGD is currently reused. The new policy aims to utilize an additional 280 MGD for non-potable purposes such as construction, horticulture, landscaping, and vehicle washing. To support this, the government may implement dual-pipeline systems in residential complexes or use tankers to deliver treated water, helping residents conserve potable water for drinking.