A Comprehensive Analysis of Wastewater Management Challenges In India: Infrastructure And Policy Perspectives

The increasing urbanization and industrial pollution are a serious concern for future generations. Having a proper sewage system in India casts human lives and unfortunately remains the least concern for the policymakers. As per reports, almost 80% of global wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatment, which can have disastrous health effects. In 2021, The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its report said that India’s current capacity for treating sewage is 18.6% and its current capacity for treating water is 27.3%. According to government official statistics, 62.5% of urban India’s wastewater is either partially or not at all treated. There are existing research studies that claim “most of the sewage treatment plants that were established under the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) and Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) are not working, and interestingly, out of the 33,000 MLD of waste generated, only 7000 MLD is collected and treated. To underscore the environmental urgency and its pitfalls, it becomes imperative that the centralized wastewater treatment demands a well-developed network of interconnected sewers and drainage for the wastewater to be collected in a central location.” This chapter mainly deals with a critical review of “policies, rules, regulations, on wastewater management in India.” The study will also examine the implementation challenges in enforcing wastewater laws and bye-laws in India. The chapter will also delve into the existing challenges and constraints that impede the development of current waste management practices and propose solutions. Moreover, the study investigate the possibilities for waste management, so complementing centralized treatment plants with less expensive alternatives to reduce potential effects on the aquatic environment and suggest a more effective waste management approach. This chapter seeks to undertake a legal and policy assessment of the reuse of Wastewater in India and establish the challenges and prospects in mitigating water scarcity. Regarding the role of Wastewater reuse policies and regulations, it provides a comprehensive overview of the applied economic, social, and environmental value. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.