The market size of the water industry is around Rs 12,000 crore and growing at the rate of 30 to 40 per cent per annum. In bigger cities there is good awareness about water recycling and almost every industry is going for water recycling. The municipal waste water treatment plants and recycling offer good business potential. Reduction in central excise duty will result in cost reduction and will be highly economical for end-user, says S. Nagarajan, Vice President, Zion Enviro Systems Pvt. Ltd.
Small towns and cities are not equipped with proper treatment system as well as water recycling and water treatment systems. India should concentrate on these small industries and local towns, suggests a player from the industry. As a result, proper amount of water will be available for agriculture and other works and it will result in the well-being of farmers also. The awareness regarding waste water treatment is less in smaller towns.
Water privatisation is good for the water sector as it will minimise water loss, and proper water management will take place. The water transmission and distribution system is not proper in India. Big loss of water results due to improper water transmission and distribution systems will be saved. The cost of drinking water will not increase and will be balanced by minimisation of water loss.
A desalination project is good for the Middle East countries where they have no choice and no fresh water. Zero discharge of effluent and recycling of water from all sources for optimum utilisation, which will be safe to environment and society.
To manage water efficiently and effectively and to overcome water crisis, rain water harvesting is a mandatory requirement in the infrastructure and industrial sector. Suitable steps and arrangements should be taken care of while planning for storing rain water. Strict norms are to be adapted for zero discharge and also for green environment. Water consumption vs productivity ratio is to be fixed and maintained by close monitoring by internal and external bodies of any organization. Every sector should have rain water harvesting system then only government can issue consent for an establishment to start factories, schools, colleges and chemical industries. Also, government should ensure that untreated ETP/STP water is not to be mixed in river or by the area. Also, they should not allow any factory in and around 5 km to 10 km area of river," said Nagarajan.
Where technology is concerned, India is on par with its requirement and day-to-day update with regard to water and waste water treatment systems. There is lack of awareness by companies and lack of effective monitoring from departments concerned is playing a major role and slowly, this is getting eliminated.
While technology is available at your fingertips, capable suppliers who can supply equipment and back it up with reliable support and services to cope up with customers' changing needs and expectations, said E. Samraj Ravikumar, Managing Director, Zion Enviro Systems Pvt. Ltd