THE NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT IN INDIA

Wastewater, in general, is any water that is not fit for use. It is generated from two sources - domestic and industrial. The domestic wastewater consists of fluids emerging from human dwellings such as the kitchen, toilet, bathroom etc. This water, which consists mostly of edible content and detergents, can be treated naturally by the aerobic treatment plants. However, the Industrial wastewater, generated from the factories, plants, manufacturing units, and commercial activities contains harmful chemicals and heavy elements which require specialized industrial water treatment systems. If left untreated, this wastewater can wreak havoc on the ecological system.

For a developing country like India, untreated wastewater has been a long-neglected and common issue. According to the Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) report, discharge of untreated and partially treated industrial effluents and sewage from cities is a major source of pollution in 323 rivers in India. This is in spite of the edicts stated under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which requires industrial hazardous wastes to be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Water is much more scarce than we believe it to be. As such, it is not an option but a compulsion to recycle wastewater into reusable water. Let us know what benefits it serves to treat wastewater.

Safeguards the environment

By cleaning wastewater before releasing them into the river and streams, the flora and fauna are spared from getting destroyed.

Keeps diseases at bay

Impure water is a primary source of disease. Although water has self-healing properties, it cannot sustain unnatural levels of chemicals and heavy metal generated from industrial waste. Hence, well-treated water can avoid the spread of disease.

Avoids water loss

Did you know that only 2.5 percent of the earth’s water is fresh, while only 1% is drinkable which includes the water trapped in glaciers and snowfields? The rest is saline and ocean-based! If that’s the case today, then there is not even a need to stress about the importance of recycling water.  

Boosts tourism & strengthens the economy

Many rivers in India are considered holy and form the pilgrimage site for many a devout. These life-giving rivers not just provide a source of sustenance to those who consume it but also provides a means of livelihood to the traders of the area, in the form of tourists flocking the pilgrimage site. The government would make twice the money as they would earn from the tourists and also save on spending on the cleaning of rivers!

There are various ways to filter industrial wastewater. Praj, a leading name in wastewater treatment employs the latest techniques such as bio-methanation, recycle, reuse,  and zero liquid discharge system among others, for treating wastewater.  The benefits of treating wastewater are long-lasting and the effects play a crucial role in the very existence of our future generation.