India is facing a severe environmental and economic crisis due to untreated wastewater polluting its rivers and oceans. A recent global study has revealed that this pollution costs India’s fisheries sector over US$ 2.2 billion annually, while also threatening public health, agriculture, and food security.
India’s fisheries sector suffers an annual loss of US$ 2.2 billion, primarily due to water pollution caused by untreated sewage contaminating rivers and coastal areas, according to a recent study unveiled at the World Ocean Summit in Japan. The report, jointly published by the Ocean Sewage Alliance and Back to Blue, assessed the financial impact of poor wastewater management in five countries—India, Brazil, Kenya, the Philippines, and the UK.
Among these nations, India faces the steepest economic blow, losing 5.4% of its fisheries’ value each year. As a major seafood exporter, the country’s polluted waters not only threaten domestic fish supply but also disrupt global seafood markets.
The problem extends beyond fisheries. The report revealed that India incurs an additional US$ 246 million annually in healthcare expenses linked to diarrheal illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water. With only 21% of its wastewater currently treated, India’s public health and food systems remain vulnerable to widespread pollution.
Agriculture also bears the brunt. Nearly 10% of farmland in developing countries, including India, uses untreated wastewater for irrigation. This water often carries harmful levels of heavy metals such as zinc, chromium, and iron. While nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater can temporarily boost crop yields, prolonged use damages soil health and reduces long-term productivity.
Experts highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and policy reforms. Amelia Wenger, who leads the Water Pollution Programme at the Wildlife Conservation Society, emphasized that failure to act comes at a high cost. “Investing in effective sewage systems is the only viable way forward,” she said.
Nitin Bassi, Senior Programme Lead at the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), added that improving wastewater treatment could also help combat India’s growing water scarcity. “Capturing, treating, and reusing wastewater enhances both water quality and availability,” Bassi noted.
The report also outlined alternative approaches to address the issue. Decentralized wastewater treatment facilities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, could serve as effective local solutions. In addition, repurposing treated wastewater for uses like organic fertilizer production, biogas generation, or even renewable energy offers sustainable benefits.
With escalating environmental and economic consequences, the study urged India to prioritize investments in wastewater management. Experts agree that strengthening infrastructure and embracing innovative treatment methods will not only protect public health and agriculture but also revive India’s critical fishery sector.
