Make It Happen

G R E Y WAT E R M A N A G E M E N T
AND
WAT E R R E S I L I E N C E
Presenter: Prashant Sharma
I N D I A WA T E R W E E K , 5 t h N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2
Positive Action for Child and Earth Foundation

w w w.C h i l d r e n s e a r t h . o r g
Water Resilience
In todays context with the reality of climate change and
global warming hitting us hard, being Water resilient
means having normal supply of water even during
disruptive events like earthquakes, floods, droughts etc
and other natural disasters

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Strategies to build Water Resilience
 Water Conservation

 Water Optimisation (Real Cost of Water)

 Water Neutrality

 Stormwater management

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 Challenges
 Water is inexpensive

 Smart meters are expensive

 Increasing green cover puts pressure on scarce freshwater sources

 Archaic piping system and water infrastructure

 Lack of early planning

 Lack of awareness

 Built and Abandoned

 Lack of training and support

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The case for Greywater Recycling (1)
 Water conservation & optimisation strategies keep utility bills in check and also save water, but

they do not go all the way to making us water-resilient

 A holistic approach to management of all water resources is critical to safeguarding long term

water resilience

 Almost 75% of water supplied to cities returns as wastewater, treating and reusing a portion of

this holds tremendous potential

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 The case for Greywater Recycling (2)
Least dirty wastewater - easier to recycle

Huge volumes generated

Reuse - watering plants, cleaning, irrigation, construction, toilet flush

Huge measurable economic, social & environmental impact

Reduced utility bills

Reduced demand on freshwater for non-potable purposes; contributes to achieving most UN

SDG’s

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Urban Water Value Chain from Source to Discharge

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Integrated Urban Water Management Framework

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Wastewater in Class 1 Indian Cities (MLD)

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Wastewater in Class 2 Indian Cities (MLD)

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Grey water recycling Technologies

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Horizontal Flow Sub-Surface CW

Front cross sectional view of HFSSCW

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 Challenges for Greywater recycling
Absence of dual piping, old water infrastructure, lack of knowledge and expertise

Transportation - storage – safety - seasonality

Negative perception, lack of trust in treated wastewater. Insufficient checks & balances to ensure quality of

wastewater

No financial incentive for water conservation and water-use efficiency.

Inefficient sewage treatment plants

New legislations required - New development should include a separate greywater treatment system

No standardisation of recycling solutions

Non availability of Data / Drawings of existing piping systems of buildings, changes etc

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 Parting Comments
To build water resilience, in addition to water conservation and water optimisation, we
have to look for new sources of water

Push for water circularity - Decentralised greywater recycling systems such as constructed
wetlands is a viable option. Recycled greywater can be sold to construction projects locally
or can be used as service water.

Water distribution and sewage management infrastructure design need upgrade

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Water Is Life
Reduce, Reuse Prashant Sharma
P o s i ti v e A c ti o n f o r C h i l d

and a n d E a r t h F o u n d a ti o n
CHILDRENSEARTH.ORG

Respect Water