Industrial water pollution and economics of zero discharge technology: a case of some textiles and pharmaceutical industries of Gujarat
Student name: Ms Anshvey Kaintura
Guide: Prof Kanchan Chopra
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: Industrial development in Gujarat has come at the cost of serious environmental
degradation. Also, according to Falkenmark’s indicator of physical water scarcity, Gujarat is
a “water stressed†region as the per capita fresh water availability of 1137 cubic metres in
2001 was far below the prescribed 1700 cubic metre per annum.
Thus, Industrial Water Pollution and water scarcity are two major problems associated with
water resources in Gujarat. Therefore, there is a need to find a solution that not only reduces
industrial water pollution but also promotes conservation and efficient use of this scarce
natural resource. The objective of this study is to assess the current technologies of
wastewater treatment being used in the textiles and pharmaceutical industries of the state,
namely treatment via Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and treatment via Zero
Discharge Technology (ZDT)/ Water Recycling and seek whether the use of ZDT can serve as
a solution to both these issues. The data used in the study has been availed both from primary
and secondary sources. The study uses net present value approach to carry out a cost
effectiveness analysis for efficient wastewater treatment, performing a sensitivity analysis for
different scales of operation and taking two different discount rates. This study shows that
adoption of zero discharge technology is essential to phase out the use and discharge of
hazardous chemicals, rather than relying on end-of-pipe treatment methods to control the
damage. However, its economic feasibility depends on various factors like scale of operation,
price of raw water, nature of the industry and awareness amongst the industrialists.
