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Just released: Reuse of Treated Biosolids from FSTPs and Co-Treatment Plants for Uttar Pradesh Our new report looks at how treated biosolids from faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) and co-treatment facilities in Uttar Pradesh can be safely reused, and how urban local bodies (ULBs) can make this shift happen. The document also explores potential applications, policy frameworks, existing challenges, and practical recommendations to foster a circular economy. Get your copy here: lnkd.in/eWhC7WNC

Uttar Pradesh to adapt ambitious water reuse policy, with @CSEINDIA providing crucial technical support New policy by India’s largest state signals a paradigm shift from conventional ‘treat-and-dispose’ practices to a circular economy approach, where wastewater is recognised as a valuable resource downtoearth.org.in/water/uttar-pr…

Ethiopia’s rapid urbanisation is putting increasing pressure on already stretched urban water and sanitation systems. A large share of the population still relies on on-site sanitation, while wastewater treatment infrastructure remains limited. We are glad to have 55 participants from multiple cities across Ethiopia, especially from towns where Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) are coming up. This makes the training highly relevant and timely, as these systems will soon require operational capacity on the ground. The sessions kicked off with an ice-breaker that got people talking about their on-ground experiences and challenges. Discussions with utility officials highlighted an important point: building infrastructure is just one part; strengthening operations, maintenance, and institutional readiness is equally critical. The initial sessions helped build a common understanding around FSSM concepts, current practices, and the importance of structured O&M systems for long-term functionality of treatment plants. Looking forward to the next sessions as we dive deeper into technical operations, safety practices, and real-world challenges in managing treatment systems.

📢New Report Out! From Vision to Action: Uttar Pradesh’s Journey Towards Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Our new report captures how the Urban Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, has led the state’s transition from policy vision to on-ground implementation of faecal sludge and septage management across 56 towns, in partnership with CSE and other stakeholders. The report also documents the lessons from this journey, starting from policy development and infrastructure creation to operational challenges and service delivery improvements. It also highlights areas that require continued focus to ensure sustainable and citywide sanitation services. Read the full report: In English: cseindia.org/from-vision-to… In Hindi: cseindia.org/resolution-130…

CSE’s School of Water and Waste invites you to an advanced training programme, ‘Reuse of Treated Water: Preparation of State and City Level Action Plans’. The three- day training programme begins on March 11, 2026 at our training facility, Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute. Location: maps.app.goo.gl/MpDnznSZHMX8kv… What’s in it for you? - Learn to develop state and city-level reuse of treated water action plans - Engage with experts and CSE’s latest findings - Holistic understanding of the reuse of treated water in urban sustainability and climate resilience Last Date to Apply: February 27, 2026 Note: We have limited seats for full and part scholarships. To know more about the training and to register, visit: cseindia.org/advanced-train…

The Water Programme at the @CSEINDIA yesterday organised a state-level workshop in Jaipur on strengthening the rural water sources across Rajasthan. The meeting was organised in collaboration with @WatershedRaj, @NITJaipur and @tatatrusts. More than 100 participants from government departments, academic institutions, non-profits and research organisations joined the discussion. The workshop was inaugurated by @Suchak2001, Director, Water Programme, CSE. @lakewarriors, Senior Programme Manager, CSE set the context by linking climate change, water (mis) management and water security. Sushila Yadav, Additional Director (GIS & Planning, Facilitation, and Coordination) talked about the successful initiatives in Rajasthan on watershed development and restoration. She emphasised the role of monitoring, inter-departmental convergence and the need to harness increased rainfall due to climate change for the benefit of communities through better preparedness. Devashree Purohit (Tata Trusts) spoke about strengthening the partnership with CSE to address source sustainability and greywater management, leveraging CSE’s expertise while working closely with communities to build sustainable models. The workshop also brought together key experts and discussants, including Ashok Kumar (@RajasthanPhed), Dr. Mahender Choudhary (MNIT), @ruchiniz (@UNICEF, Rajasthan), Dr. Shailendra Singh (@CGWB_CHQ), @Pradee_K_Mishra , @Swati13488, and @Vivek_s011 (CSE). @DoWRRDGR_MoJS

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is conducting a state-level orientation workshop jointly with the Central Ground Water Board (@CGWB_CHQ), Northern Region, Lucknow on source sustainability and greywater management in the rural regions of Uttar Pradesh. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from the rural water sector to discuss the state of drinking water sources and greywater management in the state, while building capacity on practical, scalable solutions for a safer and more secure water future. To know more about the workshop, visit: cseindia.org/source-sustain…

We kicked off 2026 the CSE way, amid green trails, open gardens, music, and laughter at our AAETI campus in Nimli.  From dancing together to singing by the bonfire, and standing united in the fields, it was a joyful reminder of who we are and why we do what we do. We step into 2026 recharged, connected, and ready to take on environmental challenges with renewed purpose. Here’s to community, commitment, and making this year count. 🌍

📢New Report on Resource Recovery in Uttar Pradesh’s Sanitation Sector. Our latest research “Reuse of Biosolids and Treated Wastewater: Assessing Potential and Practices in 56 FSSM Cities of Uttar Pradesh” is now out. Despite significant investments in faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) infrastructure across the state, a crucial opportunity remains under-realised: turning treatment by-products into valuable resources. Our study evaluates outputs from 59 FSSM facilities and provides an evidence-based assessment of how biosolids and treated wastewater are currently managed and reused. Key insights from the report: - Nearly 71,000 quintals of biosolids and approximately 200 million litres of treated effluent are generated annually, yet about 60 per cent of cities report zero reuse. - Reuse practices that do exist are uneven and ad hoc, ranging from landscaping and on-site effluent use to informal distribution of biosolids. - Barriers to reuse include the absence of regulatory guidelines, limited testing infrastructure, inadequate storage & handling systems, and low treatment plant utilisation. - The report outlines practical recommendations, from regulatory frameworks and quality testing to infrastructure upgrades and market-based incentives, to catalyse safe, scaled resource recovery and circularity in sanitation services. Read and download the full report here: cseindia.org/reuse-of-bioso…

Our new CSE report, Clean Technology Manufacturing: Navigating the Green Industrialisation Dilemma, authored by @aygoswami and @TrishantDev, has sparked important conversations, and we are delighted to see it covered by The Daily Brief by @zerodha. Their explainer distils the core issue we examine: What does green industrialisation look like for the Global South when clean-technology manufacturing is already a story of dominance, and when developing countries face steep barriers, from high capital costs to limited policy space? Watch their coverage: youtube.com/watch?v=Zsqwyf… Read the blog:  thedailybrief.zerodha.com/p/when-cloudfl… We appreciate the Zerodha team for engaging with our findings and helping broaden public understanding of the clean-tech manufacturing landscape. Download the full report here: cseindia.org/towards-a-new-…

Policy to practice: The Evolution of FSSM and Reuse Pathways in Uttar Pradesh x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Upcoming Webinar | Policy to Practice: FSSM in Uttar Pradesh From policy frameworks to desludging logistics, Uttar Pradesh’s faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) story has moved quickly, and CSE has been a key catalyst in scaling it statewide. With the focus now shifting towards treatment and reuse of treated water and biosolids, a new set of challenges has emerged. This webinar brings together city officials, state leadership and CSE experts to unpack that evolution: what worked, where bottlenecks remain, and what must shift next. What to expect in the webinar: - Keynote by Anuj Kumar Jha (IAS), Director, Directorate Local Bodies & State Mission Director, SBM 2.0 - City experiences from Bahraich, Bijnor, Deoria & Modinagar - Insights on on-ground FSSM implementation, reuse pathways and plant performance - A special deep dive on the emerging biosolids challenge in UP led by Rajarshi Banerjee - Evaluation findings and way forward by CSE’s team Sign up now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Susmita Sengupta, Water Programme, CSE will be speaking at #Hydromingle2025, a one-day collaborative conference bringing together innovators, technologists, community leaders, CSR partners, researchers, and policymakers to reimagine the future of water innovation and sustainability. At Hydromingle, @lakewarriors will join experts to discuss hydro policy, governance and data integration.

Anil Agarwal Dialogue (#AAD2026) is back! CSE and Down To Earth’s flagship annual gathering returns, bringing together communicators, journalists, reporters and storytellers who shape India’s conversation on environment, development and sustainability. Like every year, we will come together to release CSE-@down2earthindia’s annual State of India’s Environment report, discuss the environment-development concerns and challenges that India and the world faces, probe possible story ideas, and unravel some roadmaps for the future. Registration closes on January 20, 2026. Sign up today: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI… Want a glimpse of what the Dialogue offers? Hear directly from past participants of #AAD2025: youtube.com/watch?v=34L3CU…

📢 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗦𝗦𝗠 & 𝗥𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 Uttar Pradesh has been on an incredible journey, from building FSSM systems to strengthening city-level operations and now exploring reuse pathways for treated water and biosolids. Join us for a webinar where we capture and celebrate UP’s FSSM journey, as well as discuss the issues of managing and reusing the biosolids and treated wastewater coming from treatment plants: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Our hands-on training on Preparing Shit Flow Diagrams (SFDs) kicked off yesterday at Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute! We’re excited to host 15 participants from @CFARngo for this three-day immersive programme. The training blends theory with real-world exercises, from understanding the sanitation service chain to actively mapping SFDs using case visuals and group discussions. The energy in the room has been incredible: collaborative, curious, and fully engaged. This CSE–CFAR partnership aims to build strong technical capacity in preparing and interpreting SFDs. Looking forward to two more days of learning, unlearning, and building understanding of sanitation service chains.

The Centre for Science and Environment is launching a hands-on training programme on preparing Shit Flow Diagrams (SFDs), a powerful and visual tool for understanding how excreta moves through urban systems, and where sanitation service gaps lie. CSE has been at the forefront of promoting SFDs globally. It has contributed to the development of the SFD Graphic Generator, refined its data collection methodology through rigorous field validation, and supported the preparation of over 110 SFDs across India, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, and the Caribbean. Recognising the importance of evidence-based sanitation planning, the Centre for Advocacy and Research - India (@CFARngo) has partnered with CSE to strengthen its technical capacity in preparing and interpreting SFDs. Learn more about the programme here: cseindia.org/hands-on-train…

Last week, Subrata Chakraborty, Director, Water Programme (@Suchak2001), CSE spoke at the 4th International Conference on River Health: Assessment to Restoration, organised by @DoWRRDGR_MoJS , @cleanganganmcg , @IITBHU_Varanasi and the Smart Lab on Clean Rivers (SLCR). Subrata discussed the critical link between treatment quality, river rejuvenation, and the reuse of treated wastewater, and the need to rethink our planning and design approach. Here are the key takeaways from the sessions: - Treatment technology must be designed with reuse objectives in mind — this saves critical resources. - India urgently needs clear discharge standards for reuse, not just for disposal into water bodies. - The urban sewerage gap will persist with rapid growth — hence, non-sewered sanitation (FSSM) must be treated as a core element of river health, not a secondary option. - We must maximise utilisation of existing STPs and enhance reuse of treated water. - CSE is supporting states, including Uttar Pradesh, in developing State Reuse Policies and City Action Plans for Agra and Prayagraj. Strengthening the link between wastewater treatment, reuse, and river rejuvenation is key to achieving sustainable water management in India.

When old can be gold again: Delhi’s lost suburban rail. Bring it back youtu.be/ogB-Ht1OpqU?si… via @YouTube

🚨 Happening this week in South Africa! From 13–25 September 2025, CSE’s Water Programme is on the ground to promote sustainable Faecal Sludge Management (FSM). In partnership with JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd., @WaterResearchSA and the Department of Water and Sanitation, South Africa, our team will be conducting: ✅ Building capacities and advocating for improved planning and policies, ✅ Conducting field assessments to identify suitable technical solutions for faecal sludge treatment, and ✅ Establishing a robust technical support system that can guide and sustain future interventions. CSE team in South Africa: @Suchak2001 @singhal_sumita @DadhichJp @hariph45 and @harshyadava. Learn more about the programme: cseindia.org/promoting-sust…