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Urban Domestic and Commercial Water Reuse in Pune and Its Influence on the Present Water Crisis

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Abstract

The investigation of sustainable water sources is imperative to the future of India. As population and industrial growth cause its water tables to drop at rates up to 50 ft/yr, sustainable water sources and efficient water usage need to become the priority in government policy and engineering research. Wastewater recycling is one method being investigated and implemented throughout India.

The current effect of domestic and commercial water reuse in Pune, India, was investigated through the study of its water supply history and government policies. In addition, three site visits were taken to wastewater treatment facilities—two included water reuse plants, and one was a municipal wastewater treatment facility. The water reuse sites utilized the treated water for gardening, heating/cooling, and toilet flushing, substantially decreasing the municipal water used and the waste discharged. On the other hand, the environmental necessity of water recycling was shown through the municipal wastewater facility visited. This plant discharges it secondary treated wastewater into the Pawana River, causing a large growth in plant life that is choking the river flow.

Overall, the current Pune residential water supply is 794 million liters per day (mld), despite that the current government mandated allocation of 459 mld (58 %), based on a population of 3.4 million at 135 liters per capita per day. Therefore, with expansion in government policy and technology, the total additional demand of 335 mld (42 % of the total daily supply) could be provided through the recycling of municipal wastewater.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Le Roy, NY, 14482, USA

    Jessica Barringer

Authors
  1. Jessica Barringer
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Correspondence to Jessica Barringer.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Residential Water Supply (National Building Council 2005 Report)

figure a

Appendix 2: Non-Residential Water Supply (National Building Council 2005 Report)

figure b
Table 1 Water Requirements for Buildings Other than Residences (Clause 4.1.2)
Full size table

Appendix 3: Occupant Load (National Building Council 2005 Report)

Table 2 Occupant Load (Clause 4.3)
Full size table

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Barringer, J. Urban Domestic and Commercial Water Reuse in Pune and Its Influence on the Present Water Crisis. Water Qual Expo Health 6, 35–38 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-013-0093-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-013-0093-3

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