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New Delhi, 3rd October, 2026: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), signed the Record of Discussions (R/D) for the Project for Capacity Building on Circular Use of Treated Wastewater, a new Technical Cooperation Project that aims to strengthen institutional frameworks and technical capacities for promoting the safe and sustainable reuse of treated wastewater across India. The project will be implemented over a period of three years.
The R/D was signed by Dr. V.K. Chaurasia, Adviser (i/c), CPHEEO, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India Office, in the presence of representatives from the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
India is facing increasing pressure on its water resources due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic development. Recognizing the importance of water reuse in addressing growing water demand, the Government of India has promoted wastewater recycling under key national initiatives such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0. Under these initiatives, states are encouraged to meet 20 percent of urban water demand and 40 percent of industrial water demand through recycled water, contributing to the vision of building water-secure cities across the country.
The project will support CPHEEO in strengthening the institutional mechanism for promoting the circular use of treated wastewater. Key activities include the development of a national manual on treated wastewater reuse, capacity development and training programs for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Municipal Corporations (MCs), dissemination of best practices and emerging technologies, and formulation of recommendations to further strengthen policy and implementation frameworks.
The manual to be developed under the project will cover technical, institutional, financial, and operational aspects of treated wastewater reuse, and will provide practical guidance on applications including industrial reuse, agricultural reuse, civic reuse, ecological reuse, groundwater recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery. The project is also expected to facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders and promote wider adoption of wastewater reuse practices across India.
Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India Office, said, “Water security is becoming one of the most critical challenges facing rapidly growing cities around the world. The circular use of treated wastewater offers significant opportunities to conserve freshwater resources, improve climate resilience, and support sustainable urban development. JICA is pleased to partner with CPHEEO and MoHUA in advancing this important initiative and hopes that the project will contribute to strengthening national capacity and accelerating wastewater reuse across India.”
The project builds upon JICA’s longstanding cooperation in India’s water and sanitation sector, including support for sewerage development, river pollution mitigation, wastewater management, and capacity development initiatives. It is also expected to complement ongoing efforts by national and local governments to improve water resource management and promote sustainable urban development.
By combining technical cooperation, institutional strengthening, and knowledge sharing, the initiative further reinforces the longstanding partnership between India and Japan in the water sector and reflects a shared commitment to achieving sustainable, resilient, and water-secure cities.
About Japan International Cooperation Agency
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is Japan’s primary governmental agency delivering Official Development Assistance (ODA) to partner countries worldwide. JICA plays a central role in advancing international cooperation and sustainable development for 145 countries, including India.