Closing the Loop: Strategies for Decentralised Water Reuse in India
9 January 2026, 10 am – 5:00 pm

Bangalore International Centre, Bengaluru

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Context

Bengaluru has developed a globally unique approach to manage water. Rather than relying solely on centralised sewerage systems, it has over 3,500 decentralised sewage treatment plants, which treat about 17% of its wastewater. The treated water is used for flushing, cleaning, and landscaping, among other activities. 

While these distributed plants can be a resilient water source, many of them function sub-optimally due to inadequate technologies, unqualified operators, or neglect. With water scarcity intensifying in Bengaluru – and most of India – it is crucial to explore how decentralised sewage treatment plants can function more effectively and how we can increase treated wastewater reuse to address water crises across the country.

About the Workshop

WELL Labs, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), and Bangalore Apartments’ Federation are organising the workshop, Closing the Loop: Strategies for Decentralised Water Reuse in India. It will explore how high-quality and affordable decentralised water reuse could be scaled to address urban water scarcity across India. 

Schedule

10:00 – 10:10 am Welcome address
10:10 – 10:25 am 

Keynote Address | Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Chairman, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board
10:25 – 10:40 am

Policy Perspectives on Water Reuse: Regulation, Integration, and Scale | Depinder Kapur, Head- Climate Centre for Cities, NIUA

 
10:40 – 11:30 am

Decentralised Water Reuse in Bengaluru and India: Opportunities and Barriers | WELL Labs and Eawag
11:30 – 11:45 am  Mingle over coffee and tea
11:45 – 12:30 pm

Panel Discussion | Technology, Monitoring, and Business Models: Developing robust and affordable treatment solutions, reliable monitoring systems, and a supportive business ecosystem

Moderator: Johan Miorner, Associate Professor, Lund University

Speakers:

  • Ms. Uma Reddy, President, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry
  • Prof. Eberhard Morgenroth, Professor of Process Engineering in Urban Water Management, ETH Zurich & Eawag
  • Prof. Pradip N. Kalbar, Professor, Centre for Urban Science & Engineering, IIT Bombay
  • Dr. Ananth S. Kodavasal, Chief Executive Officer, Ecotech Engineering Consultancy
  • Mr Shyam Sukhramani, Managing Partner, 7th Gen Ventures
  • Ms Jyotsna Pattabiraman, Partner, Aureolis Ventures
12:30 – 1:30 pm

World Café | Discussion at 9 breakout tables on key systemic issues

  1. Operator training, certification, and work conditions
    Mr. Aditya Rao, Greentivity; Mr. Mahesh Thimmaiah, Empri

  2. End user’s role in pushing for and managing high-quality water reuse solutions
    Prof. Rajagopalan; Mr. Satish Mallya, BAF

  3. Supporting RWAs in making investment and management decisions for STPs
    Mr. Arun Kumar, BAF; Mr. Rajesh Ramamoorthy, BAF

  4. Integrated water management solutions that include water reuse in BGI
    Mr. Avinash Krishnamurthy, Biome; Mr. Vishwanath S, Biome

  5. Mobilising financial resources for STP-related businesses
    Mr. Vijay Kumar N, Brigade; Shyam Sukhramani, 7th Gen Ventures

  6. Fit-for-purpose water quality standards
    Professor Ravindra Gettu, IITM; Ms. Mei Yee Chan; Mr. Arjun Sharma WaSH Institute

  7. High-quality treatment and reuse
    Mr. Vikas Brahmavar, Boson Whitewater; Dr. Prabha Nagarajan, Openwater; Mr. Kamal Tiwari, Daiki

  8. Real estate sector’s role and strategies in pushing next-generation water reuse
    Mr. Maukh Biswas, JLL; Mr. Tushar Agarwal, Lodha; Sachin Suresh, CREDAI

  9. Creating a treated wastewater market: Connecting demand and supply
    Mr. Syed Khaja Mohiddin, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board; Mr. Samuel Rajkumar, Greentivity
1:30 – 2:30 pm  Lunch 
2:30 – 2:45 pm 

Insights from World Café
2:45 – 3:30 pm

Panel Discussion | Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks, Standards, and Addressing Policy Gaps for Decentralised Water Reuse

Moderator: Veena Srinivasan, Executive Director, WELL Labs

Speakers:

  • Mr. Syed Khaja Mohiddin, Secretary, EEA – Karnataka & Senior Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
  • Mr Depinder Kapur, Head, Climate Centre for Cities(C-Cube), NIUA
  • Mr. Satish Mallya, President, Bangalore Apartment Federation
  • Mr. Vishwanath S, Director, Biome Environmental Solutions
3:30 – 4:15 pm

Wrapping Up

The current state of water reuse in Bengaluru, opportunities and barriers, and closing remarks
4:15 – 5:00 pm High tea
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