Investigating Study on Used Water Management under SBM - U 2.0

Abstract

The effective management of used water is a critical component of sustainable urban development, particularly under the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) initiative. This project investigates the current practices, challenges, and opportunities in used water management across urban areas, aligning with the goals of SBM-U 2.0 to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF++) status and ensure scientific wastewater treatment and reuse. The study focuses on evaluating the implementation of modern sewage treatment technologies, including SBR (Sequential Batch Reactor), MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor), along with decentralized solutions like FSSM (Faecal Sludge and Septage Management). Through a combination of data analysis, field observations, and stakeholder engagement, the project identifies gaps in existing systems and recommends sustainable strategies to improve the efficiency of sewage treatment plants (STPs), reduce the environmental impact of untreated discharges, and promote the reuse of treated wastewater for non-potable applications. The findings of this study aim to contribute towards the realization of SBM-U 2.0 objectives, ensuring cleaner and more resilient urban water management systems in India.

Introduction

A. Background of the Study

Water is vital for life, but its growing demand due to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization has created a global water crisis. In India, a large share of urban wastewater goes untreated—over 60% is released into water bodies—causing environmental damage and health risks. To address this, the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) was launched in 2014, followed by SBM-U 2.0 in 2021, aiming for “Garbage Free” and “Water Secure” cities through scientific wastewater and faecal sludge management (FSSM), reuse of treated water, and stakeholder collaboration.

The challenges include:

• Inadequate sewerage networks

• Underperforming sewage treatment plants (STPs)

• Poor faecal sludge management

• Low reuse of treated wastewater

SBM-U 2.0 emphasizes decentralized solutions like FSSM in smaller towns, and promotes circular economy practices such as energy and nutrient recovery. It aligns with global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities). The study aims to assess current systems, identify policy gaps, evaluate treatment technologies (SBR, MBBR, ASP), and recommend strategies for sustainable used water management.

B. Used Water Management

Used water management involves the collection, treatment, and reuse/disposal of wastewater from domestic, commercial, and industrial sources. It is essential for urban sustainability, public health, and environmental protection.

Key elements:

• Technologies include traditional (ASP, Trickling Filters) and advanced systems (MBR, MBBR, wetlands).

• Decentralized systems like FSSM are crucial where sewer systems are lacking.

• Treated wastewater can be reused for irrigation, industry, landscaping, and construction.

• Sludge from treatment can be processed for energy (biogas), compost, or incinerated.

Challenges in India:

• Significant portions of sewage remain untreated.

• Groundwater and surface water contamination.

• Need for institutional capacity, finance, public awareness, and real-time monitoring.

Used water management under SBM-U 2.0 focuses on achieving ODF++ and Water+ city status, maximizing water reuse, leveraging private partnerships, and ensuring safe faecal sludge treatment.

C. Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0

SBM-U 2.0, launched in October 2021, expands upon the first mission with a broader focus on urban sanitation and liquid-solid waste management.

Objectives:

• Achieve ODF++ status (safe management of all human waste).

• Ensure 100% scientific treatment of municipal waste and wastewater.

• Promote reuse of treated wastewater in non-potable uses.

• Encourage decentralized FSSM, especially in smaller towns.

• Leverage technology (IoT, digital tracking) for sanitation asset management.

• Mobilize financial resources through user fees, PPPs, and other schemes.

• Emphasize inclusion, gender equity, and sanitation worker welfare.

• Align with SDGs and national water policies to build climate-resilient cities.

II. Literature Review

The literature highlights innovations in wastewater treatment and the persistent gap between wastewater generation and treatment in India.

Key Findings:

1. CPCB (2005): Only ~27% of urban wastewater in Class I/II cities is treated.

2. Phytorid Technology:

   • A natural, cost-effective method using plants to filter wastewater.

   • Effective in reducing organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens.

   • Low maintenance, minimal power, and eco-friendly.

   • Particularly suitable for smaller urban and rural areas.

3. Performance Assessments:

   • Phytorid and BIOFOR technologies outperform extended aeration systems.

   • Proven effective in cities like Delhi for municipal wastewater treatment.

   • Studies suggest decentralized and plant-based systems are more viable in low-resource settings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the investigation into used water management under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) framework has highlighted the critical importance of adopting sustainable, integrated, and context-specific approaches to wastewater treatment and reuse in urban India. The study reveals that despite significant progress in sanitation coverage and infrastructure development, challenges related to inadequate treatment capacity, inefficient operation and maintenance, limited awareness, and institutional constraints continue to undermine the effective management of used water. It is evident that the current linear model of wastewater disposal is unsustainable, resulting in severe environmental degradation, public health risks, and wastage of valuable water and nutrient resources. The shift towards a circular economy model, where treated wastewater is viewed as a resource rather than waste, is both necessary and feasible with the adoption of advanced treatment technologies, decentralized systems, and robust policy support. Furthermore, the successful implementation of SBM-U 2.0 depends not only on technological interventions but also on strengthening institutional mechanisms, enhancing capacity building among urban local bodies, fostering community participation, and ensuring financial sustainability through innovative funding models. The findings also underscore the potential of treated wastewater reuse in various non-potable applications, which can significantly alleviate the pressure on freshwater resources, especially in water-stressed urban centers. Overall, the study confirms that comprehensive used water management is integral to achieving the goals of urban sanitation, water security, environmental protection, and public health, thereby contributing meaningfully towards the realization of national and global sustainable development targets.

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Copyright © 2025 Miss. Mayuri Kanzode , Prof. Nakul Shenode . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.