Delhi Jal Board’s Jal Manthan maps water reuse and Yamuna clean-up priorities

Delhi Jal Board’s two-day Jal Manthan 2026 concluded on Wednesday with water supply, wastewater reuse and the Yamuna’s condition at the centre of discussions.

The September 15-16 conclave identified six focus areas: 24x7 quality water supply, a circular water economy, workforce development, digital systems at DJB, financial sustainability and Yamuna rejuvenation. Participants examined smart meters, artificial intelligence, machine learning, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and leak-detection tools intended to reduce water losses and improve monitoring.

Experts linked the river’s health to the full water cycle: distribution, sewage collection and treatment, reuse, drain management and pollution control. They also discussed using more treated wastewater for non-potable needs, saying this could ease demand on freshwater and reduce wastewater flowing into the Yamuna.

Water Minister Parvesh Verma said the exercise would be judged by better water services for Delhi residents and visible improvement in the river’s health.

DJB said it would take the conclave’s recommendations forward as actionable measures under its Jal Sankalp framework.