In a bid to address the growing concern of water scarcity and environmental sustainability, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is taking proactive measures by mandating five-star hotels in the city to submit reports detailing their water reuse practices.
This initiative aims to establish the actual mass water balance of these establishments and encourage the maximum utilisation of treated water. During its 72nd board meeting held on February 20, DPCC emphasised the need for promoting the reuse of treated effluents, considering the dwindling groundwater levels in various areas of the city. With water becoming an increasingly scarce commodity, particularly in urban environments, the committee underscores the importance of adopting sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of water scarcity. According to the minutes of the meeting shared recently, DPCC intends to engage with major water consumers, including five-star hotels, to initiate steps towards reusing treated wastewater to the fullest extent possible. The committee acknowledges that 26 hotels have already taken proactive measures in this regard, but it urges others to follow suit and implement similar initiatives.
This directive reflects DPCC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and resource conservation, as it seeks to ensure that water resources are utilised efficiently and responsibly. By requiring hotels to submit self-declarations on their water reuse practices, DPCC aims to monitor compliance and encourage continuous improvement in sustainability efforts across the hospitality sector. The move towards water reuse aligns with broader efforts to promote environmental sustainability and reduce the ecological footprint of human activities. As Delhi grapples with pressing environmental challenges, such as air and water pollution, initiatives like these play a crucial role in fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible resource management.
In the face of mounting environmental concerns and growing awareness of the need for sustainable development, DPCC’s mandate for water reuse underscores the importance of collective action in addressing pressing environmental issues. Through collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies and stakeholders, Delhi aims to pave the way towards a more environmentally sustainable future. “All five-star hotels (should) be asked to submit the self-declaration about actual water mass balance to check the total water requirement and reuse of treated wastewater specifically indicating the provisioning of flow metres at the outlet of STP and reuse lines. The data so received will be analysed for further verification,” said the DPCC.