Delhi treated about 750 million gallons of sewage a day but reused only about 120 MGD, according to an August 27, 2026 report, roughly 16% of the volume treated. In a city where officials put supply at about 1,000 MGD against a requirement of nearly 1,250 MGD in March 2026, the treated water left unused is a large potential source.
Two counts of the same water
A May 2026 report gave different figures: about 530 MGD treated and around 105 MGD used, mainly for roadside gardening, green areas and lake restoration, or about 20%. The Central Pollution Control Board, citing a 2021 report, put Delhi's reuse at 405 MLD, 12.5% of treated sewage, and noted a Delhi Government target of 60% with no target year.
A rule to create buyers
In August 2026 Delhi Jal Board approved a reclaimed water policy that would require construction sites of 500 sq m or more in notified service areas to use treated water. The policy goes to the Delhi Government for approval after stakeholder discussions. A Rs 90 crore project to move treated water to users was approved in May 2026, and a 2 MGD recycling plant at Bawana was inaugurated on October 22, 2026.
Why supply depends on it
Summer 2026 showed the cost of relying on the river. Low Yamuna levels at Wazirabad cut production by about 80-100 MGD, and output on June 1, 2026 was 912 MGD against a target of 1,002 MGD.
What else the Board is changing, from smart meters and zone operators to its October 2026 treatment plant openings and Rs 31,386 crore of approved programs, is set out in the report. The full report, Water Utility of the Future: Delhi Jal Board, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Delhi Jal Board Utility Snapshot.