Delhi plans steep farmhouse water charges to curb groundwater use

The Delhi Jal Board approved the Reclaimed Water Policy, 2026, which will progressively replace potable water and groundwater for non-potable uses.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is set to introduce the Reclaimed Water Policy, 2026, with the government likely to sharply increase charges for water connections and supply to farmhouses to encourage treated wastewater use and reduce groundwater dependence, officials said on Tuesday.

The policy was approved by the DJB at its board meeting on Monday. The cost of laying a water connection for farmhouses is likely to rise from around ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh per acre, while the water bill will be ₹10,000 per acre, officials said.

The policy aims to make treated sewage a reliable resource for non-potable requirements. Delhi currently treats around 750 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage. After accounting for environmental flows, around 483 MGD is available for reuse, but only about 120 MGD is currently reused, largely for irrigation, leaving nearly 363 MGD with potential for wider use.

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta said the government wanted to move towards a system where water could be used more than once. Treatment capacity is expected to rise to 1,015 MGD, with a longer-term target of 1,500 MGD, she said in a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday.

The DJB will notify service areas and improve treatment quality. The framework will include fit-for-purpose standards, colour coding, separate infrastructure, metering and physical separation from potable systems, officials said. Authorised officials can inspect premises and collect samples, with violations attracting penalties, they added.

The DJB will hold stakeholder consultations before sending the policy to the government for approval.