MoU signed on recycle-reuse water
India is intensifying efforts on water conservation, especially tapping the expertise of Singapore water management.
National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) to launch the Second Phase of Urban Management Programme on ‘Water Recycling and Reuse’.
The programme launch showcased the best practices in the urban water sector in India besides discussing the challenges.
The capacity building programme featured experience sharing by consultants from Singapore, who were associated in the successful transformation of the urban waterscape over the last four decades.
The broader capacity building engagement with SCE also includes a series of interactive workshops, advisory sessions and an expository visit to Singapore.
The programme is in collaboration with the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise and TF International at India Habitat Centre.
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Secretary, Parameswaran Iyer, along with High Commissioner of Singapore to India, Lim Thuan Kuan, CEO, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, Kong Wy Mun, and CE of Temasek Foundation International, Benedict Cheong, were present on this occasion.
Noting the challenges of ensuring sustainable water, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has highlighted the importance of capacity building programme on management of water, particularly its recycling & reuse, as crucial for future urban planning and policy.
Kant said that attaining high rates of economic growth for India will directly be a function of the sustainable use of water.
He pointed out that NITI’s Composite Water Management Index, launched earlier this year, is a step toward increasing awareness and promoting best practises in water management throughout the country.
Kant addressed the Second Phase of Urban Management Programme on ‘Water Recycling and Reuse’ on 26 Nov 2018.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary, Parameswaran Iyer, has emphasised need for all stakeholders to take ownership of water as a natural resource to ensure sustainable use of water.
He stressed on the need to take steps to address solid and liquid waste management in 4,000 Census Towns and peri-urban areas.
India is experiencing rapid urbanisation. The urban population has gone up from 29 crore in 2001 to 37.7 crore in 2011.
Due to rapid urbanisation, water demand in urban areas is increasing rapidly. The water situation in metropolitan cities is particularly exacerbating, where the people in such cities face acute water shortage.
Changing climate and its impact on temporal and spatial variability of rainfall, is a further deterrent to timely and sufficient availability of water resources.
In this backdrop, concerted efforts have been made by the Government to implement rainwater harnessing schemes for groundwater improvement.
However, there is an urgent need for water portfolio diversification through introducing alternate sustainable water sources.
The recycle and reuse of water presents itself as a potential solution for ensuring assured water supply in the Cities, on a sustainable basis.
Recycling and reuse has been widely practised in Singapore, where every drop of water is recycled for reuse. Such an approach not only reduces pressure on other water sources, but also offers a sustainable solution for water resources management.
Nearly 30% of urban water supply and 70% of rural water supply in the country comes from groundwater, which is depleting day by day, according to a NITI Aayog release on 26 Nov 2018. fiinews.com
