India’s water security strategy needs a major shift, moving beyond supply-focused solutions to include sanitation and reuse of wastewater, according to a recent analysis. Experts argue that without closing the loop between water use and reuse, the country will continue to face a growing water crisis.
Water stress and the missing link
India holds nearly 18 percent of the world’s population but only about 4 percent of global freshwater resources. As a result, policy discussions have largely focused on increasing supply through storage, distribution and conservation.
However, the analysis highlights a critical gap. Nearly 80 percent of water used in households returns as wastewater. Instead of being treated as waste, this used water represents a significant resource that can be recovered and reused.
The study compares the current system to a “leaky bucket,” where efforts are made to fill water supplies without addressing how water is lost or reused after consumption.
Sanitation and water are interconnected
The report emphasises that water and sanitation should not be treated as separate sectors. While treated water reuse is often discussed, the solid by-product of treatment, known as sludge, is frequently ignored.
Sludge, whether from sewage treatment plants or septic systems, contains valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon. These are essential for soil health, especially in India where around 85 percent of soils are deficient in organic carbon.
By discarding sludge, the country is effectively losing a resource that could reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Proven uses in agriculture and industry
The potential of treated sludge is already visible in several parts of India. In Devanahalli, Karnataka, a treatment facility has been converting faecal sludge into compost since 2015. This compost meets regulatory standards and is in demand among local farmers for its effectiveness in improving soil fertility.
In industrial sectors, treated sludge is also being used as a fuel. Its high calorific value makes it suitable for co-processing in cement and brick kilns, offering an alternative to coal and helping reduce industrial emissions.
Examples from Odisha and other regions further show that sludge reuse is not just a theoretical concept but a practical solution that can be scaled.
Regulatory barriers slowing progress
Despite proven benefits, large quantities of sludge continue to accumulate at treatment plants across the country. The main barrier is not technology but policy.
Existing regulations, including the Fertiliser Control Order of 1985, have not fully integrated treated human waste into mainstream agricultural use. There is also a lack of clear standards, certification systems and testing infrastructure to ensure the safe use of biosolids.
As a result, even when sludge is properly treated, it often remains unused because there is no formal mechanism to bring it into the market.
Need for a circular water economy
Experts stress that improving water security requires a shift towards a circular approach, where water and its by-products are reused efficiently. Proper management of wastewater and sludge can improve soil health, reduce pollution, and support sustainable agriculture and industry.
They argue that the current situation reflects a policy gap rather than a technical limitation. Farmers are willing to use treated sludge, and industries are capable of using it as fuel, but regulatory support is lacking.
Towards a resilient water future
The analysis concludes that water security must go beyond access to freshwater. It must include the responsibility to manage, treat and reuse water and its by-products effectively.
Integrating sanitation and reuse into national water policy could play a key role in building resilience in a water-stressed country like India. Without this shift, efforts to secure water resources may continue to fall short of long-term sustainability goals.