Adopt policies for reuse of treated water

The article highlights the critical need for adopting comprehensive policies for the reuse of treated wastewater in India, citing Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand's contextualized policies as examples. It emphasizes that despite severe water scarcity, treated wastewater remains an underutilized resource. The National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW), 2022, is presented as a crucial guide for states to develop local reuse policies, moving beyond infrastructure development (like that under AMRUT) to actual practice. The piece argues for an integrated approach involving institutional coordination, economic incentives, quality standards, and public awareness (e.g., 'Apna Jal' initiative) to transform wastewater reuse from a waste management problem into an economic opportunity for climate resilience and sustainable growth.