AI addressing India’s water woes

water woes

The integration of urban landscape design and green infrastructure/nature-based solutions while developing cities can help capture the essence of sustainable water management, shares Avinash Mishra, Adviser (Water) NITI Aayog in an exclusive interview with Nisha Samant of Elets News Network (ENN).

In a study done on India’s waste mess stated that the untreated amount of waste in India is equivalent to 3 million trucks piled with garbage and covering half the distance between the Earth and the moon. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with waste management in India?

India is set to generate 165 million tonnes of waste by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050. As a result, the annual greenhouse gas emissions from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are expected to go up to 41.09 million tonnes by 2030. The need of the hour is, therefore, to develop a circular economy model that focuses on sustainable waste management and optimum utilisation of resources¹,².

The municipal solid & liquid waste has been further divided into five sub- categories:

i) Dry waste which consists of recyclables such as plastic, paper, cardboard, metals, glass, rubber, non-recyclables and other combustible materials constitutes 35% of the total solid waste generated (1.45 Lakh metric tonnes) in the country. It has a potential to generate approximately INR 11,836 crores per annum according to an analysis by MoHUA.

ii) Wet waste, also known as organic waste or biodegradable waste includes kitchen waste, market wastes (vegetables, meat, fruits and flowers), horticultural wastes and such similar waste and constitutes 50 per cent of the MSW. If it is not treated properly and dumped in landfills, it can become a major source of GHG emissions and leaching of harmful substances causing air, water and soil pollution. According to MoHUA, the compost and Bio-CNG from wet waste can generate revenues of nearly INR 365 crores and INR 1,679 crores per annum respectively.

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iii) Construction and demolition waste (CDW) comprises building materials, debris and rubbles generated during construction, remodelling, and demolition of structures which can be segregated into concrete, soil, steel, wood and plastics, bricks and mortar and other salvaged building components. The average C&D waste generated in India is approximately 12 million tonnes per year (20-25 per cent of total MSW in India), out of which around 95 per cent can be reused or recycled if processed scientifically. CDW has the potential to generate revenues of approximately INR 416 crores per annum, according to MoHUA.

iv) Wastewater- According to the CPCB (2021), urban India generates 72,368 MLD of municipal sewage which is estimated to increase to 1,20,000 MLD by 2050. However, the installed sewage treatment in the country today stands at only 44 per cent. It has the potential to generate revenues of approximately INR 3,285 crores per annum, according to a study by MoHUA.

v) Treated sludge- has for long been viewed as a resource rather than merely as a by-product of liquid waste, since it contains valuable nutrients that promote the growth of crops. Currently, around 80 per cent of sludge is being utilised in India. An analysis by MoHUA identified that treated sludge has the potential to generate revenues of approximately INR 6,570 crores per annum.

Few rules and policies namely, Green Building Norms (CPWD,2012), National Policy on Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules (2016), Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) (2017), National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP), 2019, Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2022, etc. are already in place for managing all types of MSW in the country.

Groundwater

Major challenges for waste management are:

  • Tracking, collection, transportation & disposal of waste
  • Lack of land, budget and machinery for setting up recycling facilities
  • Lack of experienced contractors and provision of incentives or penalties
  • Non-standardized contracts
  • Coordination between govt. agencies/departments/private entities
  • Lack of appropriate regulatory standards for treated waste according to intended reuse
  • Lack of adequate monitoring and quality control systems
  • Lack of market due to social stigma towards reuse of treated waste products as well as lack of research which can address this issue.

Opportunities lie in developing business models for circular economy, such as:
i) Circular Supply Chain Model- Provide renewable energy, bio-based or fully recyclable input material to replace single lifecycle inputs
ii) Recovery and Recycling Model- Recover useful resources/energy out of disposed products or by-products
iii) Product Life Extension Model- Extend working lifecycle of products and components by repairing, upgrading and reselling
iv) Sharing Platform Model- Enable increased utilisation rate of products by making possible shared use/access/ ownership
v) Product as a Service Model- Offer product access and retain ownership to internalise benefit of circular resource productivity

By 2050, 75 per cent of the world population will live in cities. These cities will face increasing water stress with demand expected to outstrip supply by 40 per cent by 2030. According to you, how can we build water-smart cities and what is water management’s role in the smart city revolution?

The Water Smart City approach integrates urban planning and the urban water cycle to make a good business out of it for society as a whole. The concept includes integration of the three segments of the urban water cycle, viz., water supply, surface water runoff and wastewater to cope with societal challenges related to climate change, resource efficiency and energy transition, to minimise environmental degradation and to improve aesthetic and recreational appeal³.

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There are three pillars for integrating urban development and water management:

I. Cities should be designed as water supply catchments by integrating a mixture of centralised and decentralised infrastructure at different scales.

II. The integration of urban landscape design and green infrastructure/ nature-based solutions while developing cities can help capture the essence of sustainable water management, to some extent mitigate urban heat island effects, contribute to local food production, support biodiversity, and cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions by promoting biking and outdoor recreation. These factors would protect and enhance natural water systems in urban developments; integrate storm water treatment into landscape; protect water quality draining from urban development; reduce runoff and peak flows from urban developments by minimising impervious areas; integrate solutions for flood reduction, drought and heat mitigation; add value while minimising drainage infrastructure development costs.

Also Read | Groundwater modelling software for IWRM

III. Cities comprising water smart communities and institutions need to be developed. Awareness needs to be spread on the ongoing balance and tension between consumption and conservation of the cities’ natural capital, industry and professional capacity to innovate and adapt accordingly. Government policies facilitating the ongoing adaptive evolution of the water sensitive city need to be formulated.

There is a clear consensus that an integrated approach to urban water management is needed if the freshwater resource is to be managed in a sustainable way while adapting the cities to climate change. There are six stages of urban water management to establish a Water Smart City:

i. Water Supply City- where the water supply access and security are ensured
ii. Sewered City- where public health is protected
iii. Drained City- which ensures
protection from urban flooding
iv. Water Way City- which guarantees social amenity and environmental protection
v. Water Cycle City- which limits on natural resources
vi. Water Sensitive City- which focuses on intergenerational equity and developing resilience to climate change

Groundwater depletion in India could result in a reduction in food crops by up to 20 per cent across the country and up to 68 per cent in regions projected to have low future groundwater availability in 2025, says a study. What are the measures being taken by the government to solve groundwater depletion in India while achieving food security?

Several national initiatives have been taken by the Central Government such as launching:

  • The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019 to improve water availability in 1592 water stressed blocks of 256 districts in India.
  • ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain’ campaign in March 2021.
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has succeeded in providing assured irrigation and helped reduce dependency on groundwater. This has also increased yield and production of food crops.
  • Promotion of micro irrigation in the areas where groundwater use is prominent, helped in water saving and increase in crop yield.
  • Through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), farmers get extra income for the electricity saved and transmitted to the grid. This has encouraged farmers to optimise the pumping operation and helped in reducing wastage of groundwater consumption.
  • Another scheme Atal Bhujal Yojana focuses on improving water and food security in the identified over-exploited and water stressed areas in the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Supporting the construction of water harvesting and conservation works through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Watershed Development Component (PMKSY-WDC).

Moreover, Hon’ble PM himself has written a letter to all Sarpanchs in June 2019 highlighting the importance of water conservation and harvesting and urging them to adopt all appropriate measures to make water conservation a mass movement.

The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (D/o WR, RD & GR) had formulated National Water Policy, 2012 and constituted an ‘Inter Ministerial Committee’ under the Chairmanship of Secretary (WR, RD & GR) for rainwater harvesting and water conservation through direct use of rainfall. It has instituted National Water Awards to incentivize good practices in water conservation and ground water recharge and conducts Mass awareness programmes (Trainings, Seminars, Workshops, Exhibitions, Trade Fares and Painting Competitions etc.) on a regular basis to promote the same.

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Other collaborative initiatives by M/o Rural Development and D/o WR, RD & GR include “Mission Water Conservation” in association with M/o Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare which ensures synergies in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Watershed Development Component and Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) and Joint Advisory with D/o land Resource (DoLR) and D/o Drinking Water & Sanitation (D/o DWS) to augment the existing water sources(s), groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and greywater management and recharge.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has circulated Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL) in 2016 among all the States / UTs for Rainwater Harvesting. So far 33 States / UTs have adopted these provisions.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater in 2020 which envisages construction of about 1.42 crore Rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country to harness 185 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) of monsoon rainfall. Additionally, the Aquifer Mapping and Management Program has been taken up during 12th Plan to delineate aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/ area specific groundwater management plans with community participation.

In order to sensitise the general public, best practices of water conservation by various entities including private persons, NGOs, PSUs etc. have been compiled and put on the web site of the Ministry. An interactive link on best practices has also been created for receiving inputs from the public, which, after necessary evaluation/validation are put on the website for the benefit of the public.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to help resolve challenges related to clean water and sanitation. It is helping utilities and municipalities to better manage their water and wastewater systems to ensure a clean and sanitised water supply. Your thoughts?

Applying AI in water resource prediction, management and monitoring can help to ameliorate the global water crisis by reducing or eliminating waste, as well as lowering costs and lessening environmental impacts in the following manner4.

  • It is used to optimise operating conditions and can model water treatment and desalination processes, enabling reuse of greywater. It can optimise aeration, anaerobic digestion, membrane cleaning schedule, membrane bioreactors, and chemical dosing. It makes sure that the effluent does not contain any harmful elements5.
  • AI helps in maintaining utilities and municipalities related to clean water and sanitation. It draws analysis from a plant’s past performance. After deep analysis, the technology prescribes optimal control actions. These results are based on a plant’s energy, chemical goals and real-time forecasted conditions.
  • It assists in innovating services related to water quality and sanitation. Flow cytometry is a technology that rapidly analyses single cells or particles as they flow past lasers while suspended in a liquid solution. AI in combination with flow cytometry enhances the effluent quality, reduces operator time, and more efficient use of chemicals.
  • AI technologies also help in building water-intensive industries. The AI technologies help in groundwater level analysis. It helps in decision support in flood and groundwater management. It has shown brilliant results and has replaced the complementary traditional models. It has high potential to contribute to designing future support systems in water management for industries.
  • AI helps in monitoring water quality activity more effectively. It helps in detecting the presence of bacteria and other toxic organisms in water. The IoT devices help in detecting dangerous organisms and harmful particles. Different countries can apply different AI filters according to their topographic and chemical needs.

Wastewater treatment and reuse practices are limited in India despite the known benefits of preventing water resources pollution and contributing to sustainable production and consumption systems. What do you think are the barriers in implementation of wastewater reuse?

Few barriers in the implementation of waste water reuse are⁶:
I. Public perception and awareness:

Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) is in place in India which does not consider direct potable use of Treated Used Water (TUW), however, its discharge into natural water bodies ultimately sees a proportion of the TUW re-enter the water cycle into water supply treatment and distribution systems in a diluted form. Hence, it raises concerns for some with respect to health in certain agricultural, industrial and municipal settings.

Overcoming negative perceptions on SRTW and encouraging support for circular economy solutions will require a program of consistent and targeted messaging to end users and public through water communication programs of the Central and State Governments.

Also Read | Achieving Water Security through Springshed Management

II. Financing and viability:

Achieving SRTW targets requires an alignment of interests and incentives amongst the key stakeholders, identifying areas of demand and supply, selecting the most appropriate business model where risks are shared equitably, and designing support programmes that are efficient in time and resources.

III. Compliance with standards:

Significant efforts are required to meet the prevailing standards to reduce risks to public health and environment. Improving the financing and capacity of compliance institutions, introducing transparent self-monitoring systems into business models with sufficient checks and balances, and engaging stakeholders in the process are few approaches. National norms for water safety planning and risk management will be key to expansion of sustainable SRTW in India.

IV. Integration and coordination:

SRTW is one step in the circular economy approach for water supply and sanitation. Other policy elements exist, such as for the recovery and reuse of faecal sludge from septic tanks under the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) Policy. Others are gaining attention including campaigns to promote recovery and reuse of sludge from STPs for use in power generation or agriculture. Coordination across resource recovery and reuse activities is needed at a range of levels from ULB to National.

V. Managing the transition:

The scale of the challenge to reach universal sewage treatment and high levels of safe reuse is considerable and will require States to develop and adopt a strategy and action plan that focuses both on realising early gains where sources of supply and demand are aligned, in parallel with medium term programmes to introduce an enabling regulatory and pricing environment that provides incentives for change. In managing the transition, safeguards are also required to consider pre-existing applications of used water (formal and informal) and ensure the needs of prior users are addressed.

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