Renewable Wastewater Treatment: A Clean Solution for Green Water

- In the heart of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a revolutionary initiative is underway to harness solar energy for wastewater treatment. A pilot project, which included integrating an 832kW solar power system at the Naini Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), that was initiated by the Ganga Pollution Control Unit of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam. The plant can now meet nearly 50 percent of its energy requirements through renewable sources, leading to an annual savings of approximately INR 1.5crore in electricity expenses. This achievement has set the stage for further solar integration across all nine STPs located in the district, targeting a collective annual reduction of energy costs by INR 32 crore.
 
A staggering two-thirds of the global population is expected to be water-stressed by the current year 2025. Relying on conventional systems of wastewater management would be unwise, as they are highly energy demanding, expensive, and ecologically burdensome. They often rely on fossil fuels, contribute to high carbon emissions, and require complex infrastructure—making them impractical in many developing regions. The complexity of these facilities also demand skilled labour, constant maintenance, and uninterrupted energy supply—conditions that are rarely met in resource-constrained areas. Hence, such success stories from the hinterlands of India are more than merely a local phenomenon. They represent the future of sustainable water management. 
 
At Grundfos, we've embraced this vision by developing renewable energy solutions that use solar, wind, and hydropower to transform wastewater treatment procedures. Our innovations are laying the path for a sustainable, green future by embracing a three-pronged approach: reduce operational expenses, minimise energy consumption, and achieve zero carbon emissions. The wastewater transformation into "green water" through clean reusable water treatment with renewable energy defines new possibilities in water processing at Grundfos. In this new future, the sun not only brightens our days, but it also sustains our generations by purifying the elixir of life - water.
 
Tapping into Tomorrow’s Potential
Smart solutions for the sustainable age: The increasing use of solar energy in wastewater treatment presents innovative prospects, especially solar-powered pumping systems are designed to provide reliable performance even in off-grid or remote locations, thus offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative to traditional electric or diesel-powered systems. Pumps that can operate on both Alternative Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) power supply options deliver maximum adaptability. These pumps can run on solar energy and are perfect for decentralised applications—from small village water treatment systems to industrial reuse setups. Such systems not only avoid long-term electricity bills but also require less maintenance, hence making them ideal in situations where resources are constrained.
 
Community empowerment: The solar-powered treatment provides valuable social advantages that match its invaluable economic results. These solutions lead to improved access for off-grid and under-served communities to obtain safe treated water which benefits their health while cutting down their time commitments and advancing their community development. The change also results in concrete reduction in water consumption and cost efficiencies for industrial plants and utilities.
 
Scaling up solar PV in Rajkot's water supply services: In Rajkot, India, the Municipal Corporation installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Aji water treatment plant, providing almost 20 percent of the facility's energy needs. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs dropped significantly. Given these promising results, the municipality is now investigating the roll-out of solar PV systems to additional water and sewage treatment plants, showcasing the scalability and efficacy of renewables applied to urban water management.
 
Policies, Power, and Possibilities 
Around the world, communities are learning to view wastewater in a new light—not as waste to be disposed of but as a resource to be reclaimed and reused. This shift is one aspect of a broader acceptance of circular economy principles, in which waste converts into opportunities. Solar energy aptly fits into this mission as it is a clean way to power wastewater treatment and reduce fossil fuel usage. This also aligns with the global climate mission, where carbon emissions can be minimised, and renewable energy becomes an integral part of sustainability. 
 
Supportive regulatory advancements by Governments have turned this shift into reality through their increased involvement. International mandates on clean energy, water reuse regulations, and financial benefits have been established across countries like South Africa, India, and Egypt. These incentives - tax breaks, feed-in-tariffs (a policy that guarantees payment to renewable energy producers for the power they generate), direct financial support, and more. These enable cities and corporations to adopt these technologies with monetary incentives to boost their success on a global level.
 
A standout example can be found right here at home - the first solar-powered water treatment plant established at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in Delhi. The water treatment plant operates on solar power locally to handle wastewater without requiring extensive centralised facilities by looping water resources efficiently through circular economy practices. This implementation demonstrates a functional approach toward operating renewable energy systems in local communities. Grundfos, a leader in water solutions, is actively advancing this movement. Through innovative wastewater recycling systems, the brand has enabled industries and communities to drastically reduce their freshwater consumption. Through other projects around the world, the company has also demonstrated how the combination of renewable energy and advanced pumping technology can be utilised to facilitate circular water systems, enabling wastewater to become an asset.
 
Sustainability Isn’t a Goal - It’s a Grundfos Standard
Grundfos is also leading the way in the green energy movement by demonstrating substantial commitment to sustainability throughout its operational chain as well as its value network. The company has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2050, with validated targets to reduce direct emissions by 50 percent and indirect emissions by 25 percent by 2030. Grundfos demonstrates its mission to reduce environmental impact through water management system initiatives and to develop renewable energy solutions through these efforts. This commitment shows the vision towards creating a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
 
Ushering in a Greener World Through Clean Water Solutions
Visualise “green water” that nurtures arid land and weary communities. Envision clean, sparkling rivers, healthy ecosystems, and children playing in water that was once considered to be a dead sea —a future run by solar power where waste becomes a valuable resource. Grundfos is not limited to words, it is rooted in its actions as well. The Chennai facility is one such proof, a LEED Platinum-certified unit that has a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system recycling all wastewater for landscaping purposes, having a 350,000-liter capacity rainwater harvesting system that captures approximately 53 percent of precipitation.
 
The future demands more than one hero to achieve this transformation. We need many voices working together—from innovators and Governments to local communities. Multiple players must join hands and efforts to create strong water systems that will last for generations to come. Imagine solar panels and water pumps as the heartbeat of a strong planet. Using renewable energy isn’t just our duty we owe to the Earth; it's a chance to lead, grow, and leave something valuable for future generations. As dusk settles on today’s challenges, we can look forward to a time where every drop of water tells a hopeful story. Using renewable energy for managing water isn’t only a climate plan; it’s our moral responsibility and a chance to guide the world toward a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.
 
Because at the heart of water lies something more than just utility—it’s dignity, equity, and life itself.
- In the heart of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a revolutionary initiative is underway to harness solar energy for wastewater treatment. A pilot project, which included integrating an 832kW solar power system at the Naini Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), that was initiated by the Ganga Pollution Control Unit of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam. The plant can now meet nearly 50 percent of its energy requirements through renewable sources, leading to an annual savings of approximately INR 1.5crore in electricity expenses. This achievement has set the stage for further solar integration across all nine STPs located in the district, targeting a collective annual reduction of energy costs by INR 32 crore.
 
A staggering two-thirds of the global population is expected to be water-stressed by the current year 2025. Relying on conventional systems of wastewater management would be unwise, as they are highly energy demanding, expensive, and ecologically burdensome. They often rely on fossil fuels, contribute to high carbon emissions, and require complex infrastructure—making them impractical in many developing regions. The complexity of these facilities also demand skilled labour, constant maintenance, and uninterrupted energy supply—conditions that are rarely met in resource-constrained areas. Hence, such success stories from the hinterlands of India are more than merely a local phenomenon. They represent the future of sustainable water management. 
 
At Grundfos, we've embraced this vision by developing renewable energy solutions that use solar, wind, and hydropower to transform wastewater treatment procedures. Our innovations are laying the path for a sustainable, green future by embracing a three-pronged approach: reduce operational expenses, minimise energy consumption, and achieve zero carbon emissions. The wastewater transformation into "green water" through clean reusable water treatment with renewable energy defines new possibilities in water processing at Grundfos. In this new future, the sun not only brightens our days, but it also sustains our generations by purifying the elixir of life - water.
 
Tapping into Tomorrow’s Potential
Smart solutions for the sustainable age: The increasing use of solar energy in wastewater treatment presents innovative prospects, especially solar-powered pumping systems are designed to provide reliable performance even in off-grid or remote locations, thus offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative to traditional electric or diesel-powered systems. Pumps that can operate on both Alternative Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) power supply options deliver maximum adaptability. These pumps can run on solar energy and are perfect for decentralised applications—from small village water treatment systems to industrial reuse setups. Such systems not only avoid long-term electricity bills but also require less maintenance, hence making them ideal in situations where resources are constrained.
 
Community empowerment: The solar-powered treatment provides valuable social advantages that match its invaluable economic results. These solutions lead to improved access for off-grid and under-served communities to obtain safe treated water which benefits their health while cutting down their time commitments and advancing their community development. The change also results in concrete reduction in water consumption and cost efficiencies for industrial plants and utilities.
 
Scaling up solar PV in Rajkot's water supply services: In Rajkot, India, the Municipal Corporation installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Aji water treatment plant, providing almost 20 percent of the facility's energy needs. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs dropped significantly. Given these promising results, the municipality is now investigating the roll-out of solar PV systems to additional water and sewage treatment plants, showcasing the scalability and efficacy of renewables applied to urban water management.
 
Policies, Power, and Possibilities 
Around the world, communities are learning to view wastewater in a new light—not as waste to be disposed of but as a resource to be reclaimed and reused. This shift is one aspect of a broader acceptance of circular economy principles, in which waste converts into opportunities. Solar energy aptly fits into this mission as it is a clean way to power wastewater treatment and reduce fossil fuel usage. This also aligns with the global climate mission, where carbon emissions can be minimised, and renewable energy becomes an integral part of sustainability. 
 
Supportive regulatory advancements by Governments have turned this shift into reality through their increased involvement. International mandates on clean energy, water reuse regulations, and financial benefits have been established across countries like South Africa, India, and Egypt. These incentives - tax breaks, feed-in-tariffs (a policy that guarantees payment to renewable energy producers for the power they generate), direct financial support, and more. These enable cities and corporations to adopt these technologies with monetary incentives to boost their success on a global level.
 
A standout example can be found right here at home - the first solar-powered water treatment plant established at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in Delhi. The water treatment plant operates on solar power locally to handle wastewater without requiring extensive centralised facilities by looping water resources efficiently through circular economy practices. This implementation demonstrates a functional approach toward operating renewable energy systems in local communities. Grundfos, a leader in water solutions, is actively advancing this movement. Through innovative wastewater recycling systems, the brand has enabled industries and communities to drastically reduce their freshwater consumption. Through other projects around the world, the company has also demonstrated how the combination of renewable energy and advanced pumping technology can be utilised to facilitate circular water systems, enabling wastewater to become an asset.
 
Sustainability Isn’t a Goal - It’s a Grundfos Standard
Grundfos is also leading the way in the green energy movement by demonstrating substantial commitment to sustainability throughout its operational chain as well as its value network. The company has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2050, with validated targets to reduce direct emissions by 50 percent and indirect emissions by 25 percent by 2030. Grundfos demonstrates its mission to reduce environmental impact through water management system initiatives and to develop renewable energy solutions through these efforts. This commitment shows the vision towards creating a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
 
Ushering in a Greener World Through Clean Water Solutions
Visualise “green water” that nurtures arid land and weary communities. Envision clean, sparkling rivers, healthy ecosystems, and children playing in water that was once considered to be a dead sea —a future run by solar power where waste becomes a valuable resource. Grundfos is not limited to words, it is rooted in its actions as well. The Chennai facility is one such proof, a LEED Platinum-certified unit that has a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system recycling all wastewater for landscaping purposes, having a 350,000-liter capacity rainwater harvesting system that captures approximately 53 percent of precipitation.
 
The future demands more than one hero to achieve this transformation. We need many voices working together—from innovators and Governments to local communities. Multiple players must join hands and efforts to create strong water systems that will last for generations to come. Imagine solar panels and water pumps as the heartbeat of a strong planet. Using renewable energy isn’t just our duty we owe to the Earth; it's a chance to lead, grow, and leave something valuable for future generations. As dusk settles on today’s challenges, we can look forward to a time where every drop of water tells a hopeful story. Using renewable energy for managing water isn’t only a climate plan; it’s our moral responsibility and a chance to guide the world toward a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.
 
Because at the heart of water lies something more than just utility—it’s dignity, equity, and life itself.

- Raveendra Bhat, Area Sales Director, Water Utility INDO- Region