Promotion of water purification and desalination
1. Research for development of cost effective water purification and desalination technologies
In coastal areas of the country, the ground water has become brackish/saline due to over-exploitation. For providing drinking water supply to such affected habitations, it is proposed to install desalination plants based on the innovative technology developed by CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) in the States of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The matter is being coordinated with Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MoDWS) for identification of habitations for installation of the desalination plants by the CSMCRI. Three sites have been identified in Gujarat and CSIR - CSMCRI has been requested to submit a proposal for installation of demonstrative desalination plant based on innovative technologies. On successful commissioning and performance evaluation of desalination plants, replication of technology in other areas of the Country having brackish/saline ground water will be considered. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has indicated that National Institute of Ocean Technology has worked extensively in the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) for conversion of sea water into potable water.
During 12th Plan, the MoES proposed to take up the following works.
i. Setting up of six desalination plants in the islands of Lakshadweep.
ii. Setting up of a rigid off-shore platform based LTTD pilot demonstration plant with a capacity of generating 10 MLD of fresh water.
iii. Setting up of a floating off-shore plant of larger capacity.
iv. Develop techno-economical solar desalination units for commercial implementation in coastal and rural areas of the country.
For more information: http://moes.gov.in/programmes/programmes
Department of Science and Technology is mainly involved in R&D to encourage research in area of drinking water. 34 States/UTs have identified 20 types of major water problems and locations requiring necessary interventions and listed 168 clusters facing 20 types of challenges for establishment of treatment facility.
For more information: http://www.dst.gov.in/water-technology-initiative-programme-wti
2. Encourage PPP model for desalination- preparation of necessary guidelines etc.
The matter has been taken up based on existing research findings with MoES/DST/MoUD for preparation of necessary guidelines to encourage PPP model for desalination.