Currently, 163 million Indians do not have safe access to drinking water. Only 16% of households (27 million homes) benefit from a water distribution system. By 2020, India is likely to feature on the list of countries with water shortages. Waste management is also a key concern. Of the 62 million tonnes of waste produced every year, only 20% is treated and 30 million tonnes end up as landfill.
In 2050, 50% of Indians will live in a city.
By 2030, seven major cities including New Delhi will be home to 36 million people. Faced with rapidly rising urbanisation, the water treatment facilities in a number of cities have become inadequate.
70% of urban wastewater and 50% of industrial effluents are not treated. Protection of water sources (rivers, water tables etc.) from pollution caused by untreated wastewater is a significant hygiene and environmental challenge.

By 2030, demand for industrial water will have doubled, yet water resources are becoming scarcer. Annual growth in the country’s demand for industrial water is likely to reach 4.5% within the next 15 years, taking total demand to 120 billion cubic metres.