Odisha Urban Conclave 2026 Champions Circular Water Economy

At the Odisha Urban Conclave 2026, experts and policymakers urged a paradigm shift in wastewater management, advocating for a “Treat, Reuse and Recover” model instead of the conventional “treat and dispose” approach.

Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra emphasised the need for safe, economical, and sustainable wastewater and sludge management, highlighting inter-agency coordination as critical.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee stressed the importance of planned and safe reuse of treated water, calling for scalable and practical solutions.

Technical experts from IITs presented innovations in sludge management, biosolids standards, and aerobic/anaerobic treatment technologies, while policy specialists from CEEW and CSE discussed challenges in wastewater reuse frameworks.

Odisha’s Water Resources Department underscored the role of integrated urban drainage systems.

Industry partners showcased low-footprint sewage treatment plants, decentralised treatment systems, aerated wetlands, in-situ remediation, and mechanised sludge management solutions.

The conclave highlighted collaboration between government, academia, and industry as essential to strengthening Odisha’s urban water security and advancing a circular water economy.