Wastewater Treatment in Urban Area: A Review

Abstract

The wastewater treatment has become a challenge in developing countries because infrastructure growth and procedures have not kept pace with population growth and development. This review paper is on urban wastewater treatment and the possible use of treated water for industrial applications in India. The data on India’s annual urban population are rising and expected to reach about 600 million by 2030. It is realized that Indian industry has not taken a neutral stand on the required quality and quantity of water. The current national water segment for Indian industry is only about 8%, which is far lower than in developed countries with respect to higher reuse and recycling applications. However, the water segment of Indian industry will be growing along with the growing GDP. According to a recent government calculation, the water requirement for industrial use will increase from the current 30 to120 billion m³ by 2025. India is already an almost water-stressed country. The huge water demand of industry can be balanced by reutilizing and reusing urban wastewater, which would also provide an opportunity for the growth of Indian industry. It would be possible to reuse 40%–50% of secondary sewage for industrial and indirect potable use. If the sustainability of resources was maintained in light of increasing industrial water demand, the present reuse of less than 8% would be increased to 30%–40% toward the projected water demand of 2030. Industrial water production from secondary sewage of urban and semi-urban areas can increase the water accessibility to Indian industrial sectors by establishing a joint municipal–industrial partnership.