Bengaluru stands as one of India’s largest metropolitan cities, with an astonishing production of around 1,400 million liters of sewage water daily within the Karnataka capital.
What compounds this issue is the astonishing fact that merely about 1% of this daily generated wastewater undergoes recycling and subsequent reuse.
This squandering of resources takes on monumental proportions, particularly when considering that the city is grappling with dwindling groundwater levels and is exclusively reliant on the Cauvery river water.
Revolutionizing Wastewater Recycling
In the pursuit of addressing this colossal waste, Boson White Water, a Bengaluru-based water technology company, has taken up the mantle to convert Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) water into high-quality, potable drinking water.
Co-founded by Vikas Brahmavar and Gowthaman Desingh, Boson Whitewater has partnered with IT parks, shopping complexes, and residential communities to curtail their wastage while also recycling their wastewater.
Genesis of the Initiative
Vikas Brahmavar, holding qualifications as an Electronic Engineer, spent time working with an investment bank in the UK until his return to India in 2008.
“In 2008, upon my return to India, I dedicated myself to providing non-chemically treated water to rural areas and schools. However, this focus gradually shifted to urban water crises, where we discovered a flaw in how we assess available water resources,” explained Brahmavar to Indiatimes.
He further added, “Unlike other countries, where they evaluate a city’s population against water outflow and incoming freshwater, in India, we often disregard the volume of water leaving the city.”
Challenges with Apartment Complexes
As outlined by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), every apartment complex in Bengaluru is obligated to adhere to the ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ policy, barring the release of untreated water into water bodies.
Despite these regulations, a significant number of apartments in Bengaluru lack proper avenues for disposing of their treated wastewater. Even complexes equipped with STPs only put around 20% of the treated water to use in activities like gardening, flushing, and cleaning.
“We centered our attention on this wastefulness and examined how we could harness the potential of the discarded STP-treated water. Through our 11-stage Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) filtration process, we reclaim this water, rendering it fit for drinking according to IS 10500 standards. At present, we recover approximately eight lakh liters of water each day. Since our inception in 2014, we’ve successfully recuperated around 75.5 crore liters of water,” revealed Brahmavar.
Repurposing Recycled Water for Industries
However, since public acceptance of consuming recycled STP water remains limited, Boson has redirected its efforts toward selling the treated water to industries.
“Although the water is safe for consumption, the concept doesn’t sit well with many individuals. Even within apartment complexes, the majority of residents express reluctance. Thus, we’ve positioned our recycled STP water for industrial use as a substitute for freshwater. Our current customers include the laundry industry, cooling towers, boilers, plastic manufacturing, and other sectors that previously relied on freshwater,” he detailed.
The Need for Decentralized Systems in Cities
While this marks a commendable stride, Brahmavar concedes that reclaiming eight lakh liters of water in a city like Bengaluru falls short and demands more concerted endeavors.
“In Bengaluru, boasting over 3,500 apartment complexes, a staggering 200 crore liters of water go to waste daily after STP treatment. The need for decentralized water treatment mechanisms to diminish water wastage becomes imperative,” he urged.
Unlocking the Value of Wastewater
Brahmavar highlights that the foremost impediment hindering many apartment complexes from adopting decentralized water recovery systems is the associated cost. Boson Water seeks to surmount this obstacle by installing its system free of charge, offsetting expenses by monetizing the reclaimed water.
“If an apartment complex were to install our system, the investment would roughly amount to Rs 35-40 lakhs. Given this substantial cost, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are unlikely to approve such an expenditure. Therefore, we’ve instituted a model of free installations, recouping costs over approximately five years through water sales. This sustainable approach is feasible due to the profits generated from other commercial ventures,” he expounded.
Expanding Horizons
Post its accomplishments in Bengaluru, Boson Water has charted a course to extend its impact to other cities, encompassing Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and beyond.
