Surat Industrial Water Supply Initiative (India)

Circular and resilient water management in urban areas

agosto 2025

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

Surat, situated in the Indian state of Gujarat, is a major industrial city with a population of over 4.5 million. Known for its thriving textile industry, the city faces chronic water shortages, industrial pollution and growing pressure on natural resources. Its tropical climate (intense monsoons, periods of drought) exacerbates these challenges, requiring innovative solutions to manage water sustainably whilst supporting economic development. With rapid industrial growth, Surat must find ways to reduce its dependence on freshwater resources and minimise its environmental impact.

The Surat Industrial Water Supply Initiative is an innovative partnership between the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the local textile industry. This project aims to reuse treated wastewater on a large scale to meet industrial needs, thereby reducing pressure on freshwater resources and supporting the region’s economic development. The objective is to treat and reuse 100 million litres of wastewater per day, whilst reducing costs for businesses and improving the sustainability of the textile industry.

Solutions implemented

• Public-industry partnership: Collaboration between the SMC and textile mills for the treatment and reuse of wastewater.

• Advanced treatment plants : Centralised infrastructure to ensure water quality meets industrial requirements.

• Industrial reuse : Treated wastewater is channelled to textile factories for processes such as dyeing or washing, thereby reducing their reliance on fresh water.

• Sustainable economic model : Cost savings for industries (reduced purchase of fresh water) and revenue generation for the local authority (sale of recycled water).

Key results

• Reuse of 100 million litres per day of treated wastewater, reducing pressure on freshwater resources and supporting the needs of the textile industry.

• 40 per cent savings on water costs for textile factories, thereby improving their competitiveness.

• Reduction in pollution of local watercourses through wastewater treatment, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems.

• Creation of a replicable model for other industrial cities in India and internationally.

Climate and environmental impacts

• Climate change mitigation :

  - The reuse of treated wastewater reduces the need to pump and treat fresh water, an energy-intensive process.

  - Reducing pollution in watercourses improves water quality, thereby protecting ecosystems and reducing GHG emissions linked to water degradation.

• Climate adaptation and resilience :

  - Water security : The reuse of treated wastewater improves the availability of water for industry, thereby reducing vulnerability to water shortages.

  - Wastewater management : Centralised treatment reduces the risk of watercourse pollution, thereby protecting public health and ecosystems.

• Biodiversity : Reducing discharges of untreated wastewater improves the quality of aquatic ecosystems, thereby promoting biodiversity.

Success factors

• Values :

  - Recognition of the economic value of wastewater reuse for industry and the local authority.

  - Integration of sustainability into industrial processes.

• Connections :

  - Physical connections : Treatment plants and distribution networks form an integrated water management system.

  - Social connections : Collaboration between SMC, textile mills and local authorities to design solutions tailored to industrial needs.

• Investments :

  - Shared funding : The project received funding from both public (SMC) and private (textile factories) sources.

  - Viable economic model : The savings made on water costs enable a rapid return on investment.

Referencias

Para ir más allá