Leading India’s Water Treatment Revolution Through Innovation
As India’s population surges past 1.4 billion, the nation faces a mounting water crisis that threatens both urban and rural communities. Some 35 million people in India lack access to safe drinking water, while more than half the population — 678 million people — don’t have access to proper sanitation facilities. These challenges are compounded by extreme water stress, widespread surface water contamination, and infrastructure gaps that leave millions without reliable piped water connections.
With the Indian government’s ambitious goal of providing tap water connections to every household, the pressure to find and implement effective solutions has never been greater. The Mumbai metropolitan region has emerged as a pioneer in this transformation, breaking the country’s records in handling massive sewage treatment plants, thanks in part to Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions’ membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology.
The region’s achievements include India’s first greenfield sewage treatment plant (STP) in Worli, boasting a capacity of 500 million liters per day (MLD). This groundbreaking facility is complemented by another landmark project in Bandra, where a 360 MLD plant represents the country’s second-largest STP installation.
These facilities exemplify how innovative technology can address the pressing needs of rapidly growing urban centers. The Worli and Bandra installations demonstrate the successful implementation of large-scale water treatment solutions even in densely populated metropolitan areas where space comes at a premium.
Maximizing impact through process intensification
Mumbai’s water treatment initiatives succeed because they maximize treatment capacity while minimizing spatial and environmental impact. The Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) facility in Chembur, where a 22 MLD plant has transformed water accessibility for approximately 30,000 families in the surrounding area, illustrates this approach.
By implementing advanced MBR technology, these facilities achieve several critical objectives:
- Dramatic reduction in land footprint compared to conventional treatment methods
- Superior quality treated water suitable for industrial reuse
- Reduced pressure on municipal water supplies
- Enhanced operational efficiency and reliability
Expanding access to clean water
The impact of these technological innovations extends far beyond industrial applications. By enabling the reuse of treated water for industrial purposes, these facilities free up precious potable water resources for community use. In the case of the RCF plant alone, this approach has made an additional 22 MLD of fresh water available for domestic use.
This success has catalyzed a shift in mindset regarding water reuse across various sectors. IT campuses near Mumbai have embraced similar solutions, demonstrating how advanced treatment technologies can be scaled and adapted for different applications while maintaining high-performance standards.
As climate change continues to impact water resources globally, Mumbai’s approach to water treatment offers valuable lessons for other growing urban centers. The city’s success in implementing advanced treatment technologies while managing space constraints and meeting stringent quality requirements provides a blueprint for sustainable urban water management.
The initiatives in Mumbai demonstrate how innovative solutions can help bridge the gap between growing water demands and limited resources. As other cities across India and beyond face similar challenges, Mumbai’s experience proves that with the right technology and approach, it’s possible to transform water treatment challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
Your partner in urban water treatment innovation
Veolia brings unparalleled expertise to India’s water treatment challenges. In fact, Veolia introduced the ZeeWeed 1500 in 2011 with the help of Hindustan Dorr Oliver while deploying a 27 MLD plant in Dahej, India. With a proven track record of successful implementations across the Mumbai region, our experts continue to pioneer solutions that transform urban water management and expand access to clean water.
Our work in Mumbai exemplifies Veolia’s commitment to ecological transformation and sustainable development, which is highlighted in our GreenUp initiative. From India’s largest STP in Worli to innovative applications in IT campuses, Veolia’s technologies are helping reshape how cities approach water treatment and reuse. More than 30 major installations across the Mumbai region showcase our ability to adapt and scale solutions for diverse needs.
Contact our experts to learn how our groundbreaking solutions and services can help your municipality or organization achieve its water treatment goals while building a more sustainable future.
