Reuse of Treated Wastewater: A Key Driver for Achieving All Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Water scarcity poses a critical challenge globally, with its implications extending across socioeconomic, environmental, economic and public health domains. This study highlights the transformative role of treated wastewater reuse in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in resource-limited contexts like India. Globally, the reuse of treated wastewater has been increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for achieving sustainable water security. In India, only 37% of urban wastewater undergoes treatment, with an even smaller portion (1–3%) reused, highlighting significant gaps in the nation’s water security. However, successful initiatives such as Karnataka’s Koramangala-Challaghatta valley project, Chennai project, Surat model, and Nagpur model demonstrate that treated wastewater can effectively replenish groundwater, enhance agricultural productivity, serve industrial purposes, and reduce the health burden. Through a systematic review, this study explores the multifaceted contributions of wastewater reuse, positioning it not only as a cornerstone for achieving SDG-6 (clean water and sanitation) but also as a catalytic force driving progress across all other SDGs through natural resource conservation, increased agricultural production, employment generation, technological innovation, income enhancement, and greenhouse gas reduction. By serving as a pivotal pillar of sustainable development, wastewater reuse promotes a synergistic integration among social well-being, environmental conservation, and economic resilience. It recommends that decision-makers prioritize continuous water quality monitoring, adopt cost-effective technological innovations, implement decentralized wastewater treatment systems and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders. By implementing this integrative approach, nations can make significant strides toward achieving global sustainable development goals.