Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme

Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme

The Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme has recently been approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as part of the AMRUT 2.0 reforms. This initiative aims to enhance the management of water resources, particularly focusing on efficient sewage treatment and the reuse of treated wastewater.

Here’s an overview of the scheme and its key features:
Key Features of the Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme:

1. Incentivizing Efficient Sewage Management: The scheme is designed to encourage states and Union Territories (UTs) to manage sewage treatment plants (STPs) efficiently. The goal is to produce high-quality, recyclable treated water that can be reused or safely released into natural water bodies, contributing to better water conservation and sustainability.
2. Role of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): STPs are facilities that purify water by removing contaminants, sewage, and other pollutants, ensuring that the treated water is safe and clean. This purified water can then be released into rivers, lakes, or used for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, industrial use, or landscaping.
3. Clean Water Credits (Star-Rating System): To promote the optimal functioning of STPs, the Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme introduces the Clean Water Credits system. STPs will be rated on a star-rating scale, with ratings ranging from 3 stars to 5 stars, based on the quality and efficiency of the water treatment processes. These ratings will be valid for six months.
   • 3-star and above rated STPs will be eligible for financial incentives, motivating states and UTs to maintain and improve their sewage treatment infrastructure.
   • The Clean Water Credits are aimed at promoting sustainability and ensuring that treated water meets environmental and quality standards.
4. Current Status of Water and Sewage Treatment in India: According to the Central Pollution Control Board (March 2021), India’s current sewage treatment capacity stands at 18.6%, with another 5.2% capacity under development. This indicates a significant gap in the treatment capacity needed to handle the country's growing sewage and wastewater challenges. Additionally, the water treatment capacity is only 27.3%, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and investment in water management systems.
5. Focus on Wastewater Management: Both Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0 are focused on wastewater management and the recycling/reuse of treated sewage. AMRUT 1.0 primarily aimed at providing basic services like water supply and sewerage management, while AMRUT 2.0 shifts focus to more sustainable solutions, such as the City Water Balance Plan (CWBP), which focuses on recycling and reusing treated sewage to address water scarcity.
6. Promotion of Sustainable Water Practices: The Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme also emphasizes creating a circular economy around water management. By incentivizing the efficient use and recycling of treated sewage, the initiative aims to reduce the demand for freshwater sources, promote water conservation, and ensure that cities are more resilient to water stress in the long term.

Impact and Benefits:

• Water Conservation and Sustainability: By encouraging better water treatment practices and promoting the recycling of treated water, the scheme will help reduce the demand for fresh water resources, ensuring more sustainable urban water management.
• Improved Sewage Infrastructure: The financial incentives linked to Clean Water Credits will encourage states and UTs to invest in and improve the functioning of their STPs, contributing to better sewage treatment across India.
• Wastewater Reuse: The emphasis on recycling and reusing treated wastewater will help reduce the strain on freshwater resources, particularly in water-scarce regions.

Key Takeaways
The Jal Hi AMRIT Scheme is a key part of the government’s broader efforts under AMRUT 2.0 to improve urban water management. By focusing on efficient sewage treatment, wastewater recycling, and incentivizing high-quality STPs, the scheme aims to enhance water sustainability across cities, addressing both water scarcity and the need for cleaner urban environments.

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