White Paper: Urban Wastewater Public-Private Partnerships in India

India has long felt the need for a policy, regulatory, and institutional framework supporting circular and economically viable wastewater management models, which encourage private sector participation and financing. These elements are crucial to improve the efficacy of sewerage services through superior delivery mechanisms and innovative technologies. Stakeholders welcome the recently announced Government of India policy championing Public-Private Partnership projects for pollution abatement in the Ganga basin.

This study on Urban Wastewater PPPs, prepared by FICCI Water Mission and the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG), with knowledge partner Powertec Engineering, aims to provide the industry perspective on issues affecting PPP projects in the urban wastewater sector and suggests measures to improve the investment climate for these projects and enhance reuse of treated wastewater.

This study is the outcome of extensive stakeholder consultation with industry participants through formal interviews, consultative workshops and surveys supplemented by extensive desk research involving review of existing reports on the domestic sewerage sector as well as international and Indian PPP case studies of projects in this sector.

We extend our appreciation to the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India for their support in bringing this paper to fruition.