Sustainable Water

The sustainable water programme at The Council focuses on informing policy-making for the sustainable development of water resources and their effective management through research. We closely look into river basin planning, water-energy nexus, water use efficiency, wastewater treatment and reuse, and climate-resilient water systems.

Our work on water includes the 584-page National Water Resources Framework Study for India’s 12th Five Year Plan; irrigation reform for Bihar; Swachh Bharat; supporting India’s National Water Mission; collective action for water security; mapping India’s traditional water bodies; modelling water-energy nexus; circular economy of water; participatory irrigation management in South Asia; domestic water conflicts; modelling decision making at the basin-level; multi-stakeholder initiatives for urban water management; and study on the need to strengthen the existing data and information system on drinking water services in rural areas. The National Water Resources Framework Study was ranked among the world’s top policy studies produced by a think-tank by the 2013 Global Go To Think Tank Index.

11
out of the 15 major river basins in India will be water stressed by 2025, with per-capita annual water availability below 1,700 cubic meters
Source: CEEW analysis
USD 2,520 billion
is the estimate of the cost of inaction, explained as the economic impact of failing to enhance the irrigation water productivity and reallocate water to other sectors in 2050
Source: CEEW analysis, 2020
1.4 million hectares
of cropped area can be irrigated using the currently (2021) available treated wastewater in India for the irrigation sector, based on sectoral water demand
Source: CEEW analysis

New in Sustainable Water

Recommendations for Sustainable Management of Wetlands in Indian Tropics

March, 2025 | Book Chapter

Treated Used Water Reuse Plan for Thane City

January, 2025 | Report

State-level Consultation Workshop on Policy Coherence in the Food, Land, and Water SystemsCase Study of Rajasthan, India

December, 2024 | Other Publications

Improving Policy Coherence in Food, Land, and Water Systems to AdvanceSustainable Development in India: A Case Study of Rajasthan

December, 2024 | Report

Assessing Risks to India’s Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Systems from Extreme Climate Events

December, 2024 | Report

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"I congratulate CEEW on bringing out this document (Ripples: India’s Sustainable Water Management Story) and hope that the experiences and benefits India has gained through our programmes will help other countries too."

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Minister of Jal Shakti

Government of India
I am sure that CEEW’s study will serve as an important reference document for different stakeholders in their endeavour towards providing adequate and safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities for India’s urban population.

Isher Judge Ahluwalia

Former Chairperson, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations
To help in forming the micro-level implementation plans (for identified recommendations included under the draft Integrated State Water Plan), a subject matter expert, CEEW has been engaged as a knowledge partner that facilitates in preparing these plans considering the crop suitability, techniques feasibility, and socio-economic factors of the state.

Mr Harjot Singh Bains

Water Resource Minister, Government of Punjab