The West Bengal government has notified the West Bengal State Policy on Safe Reuse of Treated Wastewater, making the reuse of treated wastewater a key component of future urban development. The policy requires eligible residential developments to maximise the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes while promoting sustainable water management across cities and industrial areas.
Under the new policy, residential housing projects receiving environmental clearance will be required to reuse treated wastewater wherever feasible for applications such as landscape irrigation, flushing, cleaning, and other non-drinking purposes. The government has also encouraged similar wastewater reuse practices in multi-storeyed residential buildings, gated communities, commercial establishments, public buildings, hotels, airports, and major railway stations.
The policy also sets a long-term target for the industrial sector. By 2030, at least 20% of the state’s industrial water demand is expected to be met through treated municipal wastewater. The initiative is intended to reduce dependence on freshwater resources while improving wastewater management across urban centres.
To support implementation, the state has proposed the creation of a GIS-enabled management information system that will maintain a comprehensive database of water demand, wastewater generation, treatment capacity, and reuse across different sectors. The platform will help authorities assess existing infrastructure and identify areas requiring additional treatment facilities.
The policy recommends conducting technical surveys to map groundwater resources, surface water availability, water supply networks, sewer lines, and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Based on these assessments, urban local bodies will prepare integrated urban water and wastewater resource management plans while developing new wastewater treatment plants where required.
In addition, the state government plans to facilitate partnerships between municipalities and thermal power plants located within a 50-kilometre radius to utilise treated wastewater generated by urban treatment facilities. Such collaborations are expected to reduce freshwater consumption in industrial operations while ensuring productive use of treated municipal wastewater.
The policy forms part of West Bengal’s broader strategy to promote sustainable urban development, improve water security, and strengthen wastewater recycling infrastructure. With increasing urbanisation and rising water demand, the initiative aims to encourage efficient use of available water resources, reduce environmental stress, and support long-term resilience across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
