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31 August 2026

Treated wastewater reuse policies

The topic discusses the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water and state-level policy implementation, which are directly relevant to water resource management and government policy interventions in the UPSC syllabus.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have notified treated wastewater reuse policies, emphasizing contextualized policymaking over one-size-fits-all templates.
  • Key policy principles include fit-for-purpose reuse, integration with urban planning and river rejuvenation, community participation, blended finance, public-private partnerships, and digital monitoring.
  • The National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW), 2022, serves as a national guiding document mandating states to develop local reuse policies.
  • Treated wastewater is identified as a drought-proof, reliable resource for agriculture, industry, urban landscaping, and ecological restoration.
  • Challenges to mainstreaming include institutional silos, lack of economic pricing signals, public misconceptions regarding safety, and insufficient infrastructure connectivity (pipes/plants discharging into drains).
  • Successful implementation requires convergence of existing schemes and financial synergies rather than reliance solely on new budgetary allocations.
  • The term 'Apna Jal' is being used in state policies to address the psychological barrier and public perception regarding the safety of treated water.

Questions

  1. Discuss the significance of the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW), 2022, in addressing India's water security challenges. How can states transition from infrastructure-centric approaches to an integrated ecosystem for wastewater reuse? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The reuse of treated wastewater is often viewed as a waste management issue rather than an economic opportunity. Analyze the barriers to mainstreaming wastewater recycling in India and suggest measures to foster institutional and financial convergence for sustainable water management. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following best describes the core objective of the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW), 2022?