Although India is set to become water scarce country by 2025 due to demand-supply mis-match, the water sector is expected to see investment of $13 billion from overseas players in the next few years, a new study has said.
“With increasing household income and increasing contributions from the service and industrial sectors, the water demand in the domestic and industrial sectors increasing substantially,” says a study conducted by EA Water, a leading consulting firm in water sector.
Nearly 70 per cent of country’s irrigation and 80 per cent of domestic water use comes from groundwater, which is rapidly depleting.
However, overseas players from Canada, Israel, Germany, Italy, United States, China and Belgium see big investment opportunity worth $13 billion in the domestic water sector. “The industry is expected to receive Rs. 18,000 crore in the next three years,” the report said.
The country provides huge opportunities across the spectrum in infrastructure development for water supply and wastewater management.
The industrial market is going to be the big opportunity till 2020, with growth in wastewater recycling and industrial water treatment, the report said.
Maharashtra is emerging as a hub for the water sector. Over 12 international companies have already set up design and engineering centres in Mumbai and Pune.