Municipalities

In water-scarce regions, municipal sewage presents an opportunity to create an alternative source of water while reducing pollution and the burden on civic infrastructure. In Anjar, Kutch, Gujarat, Ion Exchange implemented an integrated sewage treatment and recycling solution to enable the reuse of municipal sewage for industrial applications.

The challenge

The municipalities of Anjar and Adipur generate sewage that requires effective treatment to reduce the burden on local civic infrastructure and prevent environmental pollution. In the water-scarce Kutch region, the need to conserve freshwater resources further underscores the importance of treating and reusing municipal sewage.

Ion Exchange's solution

Ion Exchange designed, erected and commissioned a 30 MLD sewage treatment and recycling plant to treat sewage supplied by the local municipalities of Anjar and Adipur. The company also undertook the plant's operation and maintenance.

Subsequently, an additional 40 MLD sewage treatment plant was established to treat sewage from Gandhidham, further expanding municipal sewage treatment and reuse capacity in the region.

The treated sewage is reused as an alternative source of water for industrial applications, demonstrating how municipal wastewater can be recovered productively instead of being discharged into the environment.

The impact

• Reduced burden on municipalities: Helps local authorities manage sewage generated by the communities of Anjar, Adipur and Gandhidham.
• Water conservation: Creates an alternative source of water for industrial use in the water-stressed Kutch region.
• Pollution prevention: Helps prevent untreated sewage from contributing to pollution of Nakti Creek and the Gulf of Kutch.
• Public-private partnership: Demonstrates how collaboration between municipal authorities and industry can address wastewater management challenges while supporting industrial water requirements.
• Recognised excellence: The project received the Government of India's prestigious National Water Award in the Industrial category.

The initiative reflects Ion Exchange's commitment to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how municipal sewage treatment and reuse can advance sustainable urban water management.

The challenge

A state-of-the-art water treatment plant installed by one of India’s largest municipal corporations experienced severe mechanical design issues due to poor-quality inclined separation plates that warped prematurely. This compromised separation efficiency, resulting in sludge deposition and algal growth on lamella surfaces, affecting the quality of water supplied to Mumbai.

Ion Exchange’s solution

Ion Exchange retrofitted the existing system with uniquely designed stainless steel (SS) cartridges, engineered to overcome the performance issues without adding load to the existing civil structure. The retrofit was completed in less than six months.

The benefits

• Reduced turbulence within the water treatment system
• Eliminated algal growth on stainless steel lamella surfaces
• Prevented sludge deposition
• Restored water quality to the original design specifications
• Extended retrofit life, guaranteed for 20 years