KSPCB to lay down parameters for treated wastewater in construction

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), through a study done with the help of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), will reach out to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to lay down parameters for treated wastewater under IS 465:2000 rule to be used in the construction industry. According to the construction industry, while the state government came up with the rule stating that groundwater cannot be used for construction purposes; treated wastewater is not readily available for the purpose. Experts stressed the importance of water management in an urban landscape especially when an affordable technology is available to recycle wastewater for secondary usage. However, they said, the narrative around treated wastewater has to be rearticulated. While the board is planning to approach BIS, experts from KSPCB said the initial results show that the recycled water is safe to be used for construction. Also read: Karnataka Govt sets up task force to eradicate single use plastic