Water Treatment: Sustainable solution for growing India

Mayank Sharma

Chief Marketing Officer, Chlor-Alkali, Aditya Birla Chemicals

As published in Indian Chemical News Annual Compendium: Chemical Industry Outlook 2023

Solutions for availability of drinking and potable water for India needs a sustainable approach moving towards total water quality management

Water is an essential resource for life, yet it is a finite one. As the world’s population grows, so does the demand for fresh water. In India, where agriculture, industry, and domestic use are the main consumers of fresh water, the need for effective water treatment solutions has become more pressing than ever before. The need of the hour is to offer innovative, sustainable, and affordable water treatment solutions that cater to a diverse range of industries. At Aditya Birla Chemicals, we recognize this need and offer solutions that traverse multiple industries and ensures water treatment from safe drinking water to industrial wastewater treatment.

WATER SCENARIO IN INDIA

India is prone to water crisis, with severity increasing in many regions that struggle to meet the demand for fresh water. According to the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, some of the major cities in India are expected to run out of groundwater. This is a serious concern, given that groundwater accounts for 40% of India’s water supply. The situation is compounded by the fact that India is home to 17% of the world’s population but has only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.

The major consumption of fresh water in India are agriculture, industry, and domestic use. Agriculture alone accounts for 80% of India’s water consumption. Industries such as textiles, leather, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals require large quantities of water for their operations. This also makes them significant contributors to water pollution, as used water/wastewater is let out . Domestic use in urban and rural habitats are also a major contributor to water pollution, with untreated sewage being released into rivers and other water bodies.

To address this problem, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), which aims to improve the cleanliness and hygiene of the country, and the National Mission for Clean Ganga, which aims to clean the river Ganges.

In addition to these initiatives, there are about 193 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) in India, treating a cumulative total of 1474 MLD water. Most CETPs consume coagulants in the primary treatment process, making it a critical component of the water treatment process. We have successfully treated five CETPs across India, delivering added benefits to our respective customers. 

OUR BUSINESS

We at the Chlor-Alkali Business of the Aditya Birla Chemicals, a part of the Aditya Birla Group, is committed to address and contribute to the country’s water woes through our water treatment solutions. 

Aditya Birla Chemicals is a leading player in the Indian chemical industry, with a strong presence in various geographies and sectors. The Chlor-Alkali business is a flagship business with number one position for Caustic Soda in India today, as well as in Polyaluminium Chloride and Stable Bleaching Powder. The above are crucial for water clarification and disinfection. We are also expanding our portfolio of specialty chemicals with applications in water treatment, plastics and polymers, agrochemicals, dyes and pigments, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and more. With quality systems are approved by BIS, we also have ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS: 18001 & SA:8000 certifications.

The Chlor-Alkali business spans across eight manufacturing units in India with over a 1Mn Ton capacity through 7 states servicing the nation’s east-west corridor. The Water Application Centre at Gujarat – Vilayat is designed to develop customized Specialty Chemicals that can add value to our customers in water treatment. We work in collaboration with recognized institutes like DST, NEERI, CIFE, etc. This Water Lab facility received DSIR recognition in 2017. We offer technical support starting from lab trials to plant scale applications and post-sale. The water application portfolio focuses on coagulation, disinfection, hygiene, sanitization, bio-security, wastewater treatment, and dewatering.

We have expertise in treating CETPs connected with the textile industry and tanneries and collaborate with top OEMs.

WATER TREATMENT SOLUTION

Our solutions for water treatment is focused on Coagulation and Disinfection. 

In Coagulation, we offer a range of products that help to remove impurities and suspended solids from water. These products include polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and aluminium Chlorohydrate (ACH), which is used in both municipal and industrial water treatment plants. PAC is a highly effective coagulant that can be used to remove turbidity, colour, and organic matter from water. 

Our range of VIKRAM PAC products can be used in water and wastewater treatment plants by simply adding prescribed dosage of the undiluted PAC solution to the raw water, followed by immediate high agitation to ensure proper mixing.

VIKRAM PAC offers up to 40% direct cost savings over conventional chemicals like alum. It also helps in reduced supervision charges, savings on maintenance cost of filtration pump system due to reduced operative cycles and reduction in Sludge Disposal cost. It has a greater speed of floc formation than Alum, so it is possible to shorten the slow agitating (or retention time). 

For wastewater treatment, the Chlor-Alkali business of the Aditya Birla Chemicals offers a special range of products that help to remove pollutants from wastewater. Our latest series of coagulants is the VYTAL range, which offers a variety of solutions for industrial water treatment and wastewater management. Its applications include oil-water separation, industrial wastewater treatment, colour removal, fluoride removal, specialty chemical formulation, and paper sizing. The products are designed to meet the specific needs of different industries, including textiles, refineries, paper mills, pharmaceuticals, tanneries, and more. With its high efficiency and cost-effectiveness, VYTAL has become a preferred choice for many companies looking for sustainable water management solutions.

For disinfection, we offer a range of products that help to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms in water. These products include chlorine and its derivatives like sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. These disinfectants are used in both municipal and industrial water treatment plants to ensure that the water is safe for consumption.

Our Stable Bleaching Powder brands – VIKRAM, LION & SHAKTIMAAN, comprise of dry free-flowing powder with very high degree of superior stability. It is produced in a modern state-of-art plant using high purity hydrated lime. The outcome is a dry free-flowing bleaching powder with very high degree of fineness and superior stability. It has low bulk density and preferred by all Water Treatment companies due to the salient bleaching characteristics and low sludge when dissolved in water. It is soluble in cold water, has low moisture content and free from any heavy metal impurities. 

We also offer RENSA, which is a high strength bleach, available in the form of free flowing white granules with 65-70 % available chlorine. It is used in municipal and industrial sector for effective disinfection of water. It helps to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and waterborne diseases. It is a strong oxidizing agent which acts as bactericide and fungicide to control algae and eliminate odour in water.

Needless to say, and evident is that water quality management is crucial for our health and the environment. Poor water quality can lead to various health issues, and contamination of water sources can also have detrimental effects on ecosystems. While efforts have been made to improve water quality through treatment and regulation, the future lies in Total Quality Management, an essential shift towards a more holistic approach. This approach involves managing water quality at all stages, including its sources, distribution, and disposal. It also requires the cooperation of various stakeholders, including policymakers, water managers, and the public, to achieve sustainable and safe water management practices. Total Water Quality Management will not only improve the quality of life for individuals but also ensure that our water resources are protected for future generations.