Lok Sabha Question No. 4753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Urban Water Recycling
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4753

## ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## URBAN WATER RECYCLING

## 4753.  SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  promote  large-scale  urban  water  recycling  through decentralised treatment plants and smart reuse technologies;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the new schemes proposed to recharge rapidly depleting groundwater in the coastal belts of Kerala and other water-stressed areas; and

(c)  the  nature  and  impact  of  the  ongoing  awareness  campaigns  under  the  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  and  other programmes for community engagement in water conservation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) Water  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  for  the  conservation,  planning,  evaluation, funding,  and  execution  of  water  resource  management  including  water  recycling  rests  primarily  with  the State  Governments,  based  on  their  own  priorities  and  available  resources.  The  Central  Government supplements the measures and efforts being taken up by the State Governments.

As  part  of  ongoing  initiatives  to  support  States  in  achieving  sustainable  water  management  and conservation, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has undertaken several measures to promote urban water recycling through decentralised treatment plants and smart reuse technologies. The Government of India continues to encourage  the  reuse  of  treated  wastewater  across  a  range  of  non-potable  applications,  including  in  the industrial and agricultural sectors.

As  per  the  guidelines  notified  by  the  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  (MoJS),  the  Central  Ground  Water Authority  (CGWA) has  issued  regulations  governing  groundwater  extraction  by  industries,  infrastructure projects and mining activities.

-  Infrastructure projects (including urban projects) drawing groundwater 20KLD or more are required to install STP and use the treated water for greenbelt development/washing of cars etc.
-  Industries are required to reduce their water consumption through recycle/reuse of water. Conditions in the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by CGWA as per these guidelines, inter-alia, include the condition that 'Wherever feasible, requirement of water for greenbelt (horticulture) shall be met from recycled/treated waste water'.

The Central Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  also  prepared  a  'Guidelines  for  Utilization  of  Treated Effluent (Industrial) in Irrigation' (https://cpcb.nic.in/NGT/Guidelines-UTE-Irrigation.pdf)

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), various initiatives are being implemented to promote  domestic  wastewater  treatment  and  greywater  reuse  and  recycling  at  both  household  and community levels. Low-cost, decentralized systems such as soak pits, leach pits, and magic pits are tailored to suit local soil and space conditions for effective greywater management. Households are also encouraged to reuse greywater for kitchen gardens, reducing freshwater demand. At the community level, solutions like community leach pits, waste stabilization ponds, constructed wetlands, Phytorid systems, DEWATS, and soil biotechnology (SBT) are adopted based on population size, land availability, and geography. Treated wastewater  from  these  systems  is  reused  for  irrigation,  landscaping,  toilet  flushing,  industrial  use, construction, groundwater recharge, and aquaculture in rural areas.

Under AMRUT, 890 sewerage/ septage management projects worth ₹34,446.64 crore are implemented, resulting in the creation of 4,622.61 MLD of sewage treatment capacity, including 1,437 MLD for recycle and reuse.

National  Mission  for  Clean  Ganga  (NMCG)  is  taking  steps  for  promoting  reuse  of  treated  water  in Ganga basin. A National Framework for Safe Reuse of Treated Water has been prepared and released by NMCG, supported by the India-EU Water Partnership. Besides this, a toolkit for preparation of city level action plans has also been released by NMCG in coordination with National Institute of Urban Affairs and Council of Energy, Environment, and Water. Safe Reuse of Treated water has also been included as one of the ten pillars of Urban River Management Plan in Ganga basin.

As per the information provided by the Kerala Government, the State Ground Water Department is implementing  artificial  groundwater  recharge  measures  under  the  state  plan  scheme  "Groundwater conservation and recharge" for conserving and recharging ground water. This scheme focuses on recharging groundwater  through  various  methods  like  dug  well  recharge,  rain  pits  and  bore  wells  recharge  through rooftop  rainwater  harvesting,  construction  of  small  check  dams  and  the  renovation  of  open  ponds  for ensuring the sustainability of groundwater sources. Rs. 6 crore is allocated for the said scheme in the current financial year and special attention is given to water stressed areas such as critical and semi-critical blocks for implementation, indicating a targeted approach to areas facing water scarcity. However, the Department has not proposed any new scheme to recharge ground water in the coastal belts of Kerala.

Apart from the above state scheme, the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019  as  a  time-bound,  mission-mode  water  conservation  campaign  in  256  water-stressed  districts  of  the country. The Hon'ble Prime Minister launched 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA: CTR) in 2021 with the tagline 'Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls'. The Abhiyan was scaled up to cover all districts, blocks, and municipalities across the country including the coastal belts of Kerala. The details of JSA:CTR campaign in Kerala is attached at Annexure I.

To further strengthen JSA: CTR, 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' (JSJB) initiative was launched in Surat, Gujarat on 06th September, 2024, which focuses on intensifying community mobilization to build low cost rainwater  harvesting  structures  in  saturation  mode.  The  Jal  Sanchay  programme  started  in  Gujarat  by

leveraging community  funds,  individual donations, Corporate Social Responsibility Funds  etc. for construction  of  low  cost  structures  like  borewells,  recharge  shafts,  recharge  pits,  using  locally  available material, to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide low cost local tailor made solution to water  issues.  As  of  13th  August,  2025,  a  cumulative  total  of  33.73  lakhs  artificial  recharge  and  storage structures have been reported under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari  initiative. The details of JSJB for the State of Kerala is attached at Annexure II(a) & II(b).

(c) 'Water'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  for  the  conservation  and  management  of  water resources,  including  public  awareness  generation,  primarily  rests  with  the  State  Governments  and  local bodies.

However, the  Government  of  India  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  including  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan: Catch  the  Rain  (JSA:  CTR)  across  the  country  to  sensitize  the  public  about  the  importance  of  water conservation and to promote behavioural changes in water usage patterns. Awareness generation is one of the  five  focused  interventions  of  JSA:  CTR  campaign  which  aims  at  spreading  public  awareness  about water-related challenges and  the importance  of conservation, with an emphasis  on  turning water conservation into a people's movement (Jan Andolan).

To further deepen public involvement, "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative was launched in Surat,  Gujarat  on  6th  September  2024.  This  initiative  encourages  collective  action  by  communities,  civil society,  and  local  governments  to  implement  low-cost,  locally  appropriate  water  conservation  solutions under a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. As part of this initiative, the National Water Mission (NWM) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with various agencies, organizes several community awareness programs to highlight the importance of water conservation.

To further enhance outreach, the National Water Mission (NWM) collaborated with the Department of Youth Affairs, leveraging the extensive network of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and its youth clubs including those in Bihar to mobilize grassroots participation in water conservation efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign.

As part of JSA: CTR, States and Union Territories have been requested to establish Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) in all districts. These Kendras function as resource and knowledge centers, providing information on water-related  issues,  showcasing  best  practices,  offering  technical  support,  and  serving  as  local  hubs  for water conservation strategies. 712 Jal Shakti Kendras have been established across the country.

Additionally, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities are undertaken regularly by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to disseminate key messages on water conservation. The Department also utilizes social media platforms to share informative content and highlight various programmes and achievements in this domain.

In  addition,  the  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  launched  the  National  Water  Awards  to  acknowledge  and encourage exemplary  efforts  in  the  field  of  water  resources  management.  These  awards  are  conferred  in multiple categories including Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Industry, among others. The Awards highlight and celebrate successful models of water conservation and motivate replication of such practices.

The  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,  through  the  Swachh  Sujal  Shakti  Samman  initiative,  celebrates  and acknowledges  the  exemplary  contributions  of  women  in  promoting  water  conservation,  sustainable sanitation,  and  hygiene  practices.  This  recognition  highlights  the  crucial  role  women  play  in  leading community-driven efforts toward water conservation and its sustainable use.

Moreover,  under  the  ongoing  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan:  Catch  the  Rain  (JSA:CTR)  campaign,  several innovative  models  of  groundwater  recharge  and  water  conservation  are  observed  across  various  regions which  showcasing  the  diversity  of  locally  adapted  and  community-driven  solutions.  A  separate  outreach initiative,  'Dialogue with DMs', has also been organized since August 2020, where District Magistrates/ Collectors/Deputy Commissioners share their field-level innovations and experiences in water conservation, fostering cross-learning and inspiring replication of successful practices.

Additionally, CGWB conducts Public Interaction Programme (PIP) to sensitize and create awareness among various stakeholders including farmers on various aspects of water conservation and ground water management in Bihar. A total number of 70 PIPs are conducted during 2019 to 2025, in which 6986 people participated. Apart from this, 25 nos. of Tier-III training program were also conducted during 2012 to 2025, in which a total of 3339 people were made aware about the sustainable water use and conservation practices along with other ground water issues.

Also,  National  Mission  for  Clean  Ganga  (NMCG)  has  undertaken  comprehensive  public  awareness campaigns  to  foster  a  sense  of  responsibility  and  engagement  among  the  public  in  efforts  to  clean  and conserve  the  Ganga  River  through  educational  materials,  community  outreach,  school  programs,  mass media campaigns, and online engagement. SwachhtaPakhwada Ganga Utsav, Ganga Run, Ganga Rafting expeditions, treks, Ghat pe Haat with a social message, and several activities are also taken up. 139 District Ganga  Committees  (DGCs)  are  formed  and  their  mandated  monthly  meetings  are  done  to  encourage decentralization  and  ensure  people's  participation.  NMCG  has  taken  various  steps  to  address  river  and water-related  challenges,  along  with  various  IEC  campaigns  to  create  awareness,  sensitize  people,  and ensure Nirmal Ganga and Aviral Ganga.

Namami Gange, along with Border Security Force, jointly organized a 53-day- long all-women river rafting expedition as an outreach activity showcasing women empowerment and Ganga rejuvenation. This expedition  exemplifies  the  power  of  women  in  leadership,  as  they  come  together  to  carry  forward  the message of environmental conservation and women empowerment.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) awareness campaigns significantly enhance community engagement in water conservation  by  promoting  responsible  water  usage,  reducing  water  wastage,  and  fostering  a  sense  of ownership for water resources. These campaigns educate communities about the importance of safe drinking water,  encourage  participation  in  water  management,  and  empower  them  to  monitor  water  quality.  The Mission  is  based  on  a  community  approach  to  water  and  includes  extensive  Information,  Education  and Communication (IEC) as a key component.

These  combined  efforts  aim  to  foster  sustained  awareness  and  encourage  responsible  water-use behaviour across various sections of society.

***

## ANNEXURE-I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4753  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.08.2025  REGARDING  'URBAN  WATER RECYCLING'.

| Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          | Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             | National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti                             |
| KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) | KERALA - Intervention wise Progress (Status from 22-03-2021 to 19-08-2025) |
| JSA Year                                                                   | Water Conservation and Rain Water Harvesting                               | Renovation Traditional Water Bodies                                        | of Reuse and Recharge Structures                                           | Watershed Development                                                      | Total Water Related Works (Year-wise)                                      | Intensive Afforestation                                                    |
| 2021                                                                       | 30008                                                                      | 9592                                                                       | 20972                                                                      | 66818                                                                      | 127390                                                                     | 433691                                                                     |
| 2022                                                                       | 21432                                                                      | 9352                                                                       | 15631                                                                      | 67782                                                                      | 114197                                                                     | 378807                                                                     |
| 2023                                                                       | 29073                                                                      | 15573                                                                      | 28757                                                                      | 97673                                                                      | 171076                                                                     | 19419                                                                      |
| 2024                                                                       | 25558                                                                      | 15018                                                                      | 35039                                                                      | 91099                                                                      | 166714                                                                     | 13366                                                                      |
| 2025                                                                       | 8140                                                                       | 3402                                                                       | 7462                                                                       | 30294                                                                      | 49298                                                                      | 3389                                                                       |
| Total                                                                      | 114211                                                                     | 52937                                                                      | 107861                                                                     | 353666                                                                     | 628675                                                                     | 848672                                                                     |

## ANNEXURE-II(a)

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4753  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.08.2025  REGARDING  'URBAN  WATER RECYCLING'.

| KERALA - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | KERALA - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | KERALA - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   | KERALA - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                             | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                             | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                             | (Status as on 31.05.2025)                                             |
| S.No                                                                  | State                                                                 | District                                                              | Completed Works                                                       |
| 1                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | ALAPPUZHA                                                             | 17                                                                    |
| 2                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | ERNAKULAM                                                             | 108                                                                   |
| 3                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | IDUKKI                                                                | 107                                                                   |
| 4                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | KANNUR                                                                | 171                                                                   |
| 5                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | KASARAGOD                                                             | 574                                                                   |
| 6                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | KOLLAM                                                                | 65                                                                    |
| 7                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | KOTTAYAM                                                              | 96                                                                    |
| 8                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | KOZHIKODE                                                             | 58                                                                    |
| 9                                                                     | KERALA                                                                | MALAPPURAM                                                            | 39                                                                    |
| 10                                                                    | KERALA                                                                | PALAKKAD                                                              | 3142                                                                  |
| 11                                                                    | KERALA                                                                | PATHANAMTHITTA                                                        | 118                                                                   |
| 12                                                                    | KERALA                                                                | THIRUVANANTHAPURAM                                                    | 226                                                                   |
| 13                                                                    | KERALA                                                                | THRISSUR                                                              | 536                                                                   |
| 14                                                                    | KERALA                                                                | WAYANAD                                                               | 139                                                                   |
| Total                                                                 | Total                                                                 | Total                                                                 | 5396                                                                  |

## ANNEXURE-II(b)

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4753  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  21.08.2025  REGARDING  'URBAN  WATER RECYCLING'.

| Kerala - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0   | Kerala - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0   | Kerala - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0   | Kerala - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0   | Kerala - District-wise progress under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (Status as on 19.08.2025)                                             | (Status as on 19.08.2025)                                             | (Status as on 19.08.2025)                                             | (Status as on 19.08.2025)                                             | (Status as on 19.08.2025)                                             |
| S.NoState                                                             | S.NoState                                                             | District                                                              | Completed WorkOngoingWorkTotal Work                                   | Completed WorkOngoingWorkTotal Work                                   |
| 1                                                                     | KERALAALAPPUZHA                                                       | 0                                                                     | 1                                                                     | 1                                                                     |
| 2                                                                     |                                                                       | KERALAERNAKULAM 0                                                     | 1                                                                     | 1                                                                     |
| 3                                                                     | KERALAIDUKKI                                                          | 0                                                                     | 67                                                                    | 67                                                                    |
| 4                                                                     | KERALAKANNUR                                                          | 95                                                                    | 32                                                                    | 127                                                                   |
| 5                                                                     | KERALAKASARAGOD                                                       | 0                                                                     | 56                                                                    | 56                                                                    |
| 6                                                                     | KERALAKOLLAM                                                          | 0                                                                     | 3                                                                     | 3                                                                     |
| 7                                                                     | KERALAKOTTAYAM                                                        | 0                                                                     | 37                                                                    | 37                                                                    |
| 8                                                                     | KERALAKOZHIKODE                                                       | 248                                                                   | 0                                                                     | 248                                                                   |
| 9                                                                     | KERALAMALAPPURAM                                                      | 0                                                                     | 28                                                                    | 28                                                                    |
| 10                                                                    | KERALAPALAKKAD                                                        | 0                                                                     | 2691                                                                  | 2691                                                                  |
| 11                                                                    | KERALAPATHANAMTHITTA                                                  | 0                                                                     | 362                                                                   | 362                                                                   |
| 12                                                                    | KERALATHIRUVANANTHAPURAM0                                             | KERALATHIRUVANANTHAPURAM0                                             | 193                                                                   | 193                                                                   |
| 13                                                                    | KERALATHRISSUR                                                        | 0                                                                     | 611                                                                   | 611                                                                   |
| 14                                                                    | KERALAWAYANAD                                                         | 0                                                                     | 153                                                                   | 153                                                                   |
| Total                                                                 | Total                                                                 | 343                                                                   | 4235                                                                  | 4578                                                                  |