Water and Wastewater Treatment in India: A Qualitative Analysis of An Emerging Market

Rising demands from agriculture, industry and a growing population has left India thirsty for one of the basic necessities of life water. Unplanned industrialisation, urbanisation, and the impact of liberalised import of wastes intended for recycling have negatively affected the water environment in India, and is now one of the major concerns of the economy. However, major reformation is taking place in the industrial water sector coercing enterprises to invest in pollution abatement technology. Stricter enforcement of environmental regulations leaves no choice for polluting industries but to comply, rather than face the penalty of non compliance. However, this has simultaneously opened up the market for water and wastewater treatment goods. Moreover, there is an opportunity to profit for international corporations in the global water sector, who have a competitive advantage while entering India, with their sophisticated and advanced technology that is domestically unavailable. In this study, I have analysed the water and wastewater treatment market and the respective forces influencing it. While the market is emerging and lucrative, the industry is highly competitive and relationship oriented. Moreover, government and politics play an influential role at all levels of the industry. Nonetheless, there exists a vast market for international investors that can be tapped with appropriate knowledge of the country and its business climate