Description
UN-Habitat’s vision is “a better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world”. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty.
In line with the New Urban Agenda, UN-Habitat seeks to contribute to increased equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, improved sanitation, and sustainable management of water resources, including wastewater treatment, recycling and safe reuse. It does so by facilitating policy dialogue, sharing good practices, by providing technical assistance for the development and implementation of field demonstration projects, and by supporting local, national, and global data collection and monitoring in order to strengthen advocacy, policy, and decision-making.
Background
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations aim to address global challenges and ensure a sustainable future. SDG Target 6.3 focuses on improving water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials. It also aims to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increase recycling and safe reuse globally.
In line with this goal, UNHABITAT seeking a partner to perform a study in India on wastewater reuse. This study will focus on the analysis of wastewater reuse policies in India, examining both the quantitative aspects and the governance and regulatory dimensions. This study will be conducted at both the national level, taking into account the implications of a federal system, and through a detailed investigation of a megacity; where data will highlight some regulatory, technical and financial strategies for facilitating wastewater reuse in both the domestic and industrial sectors.
Objective
The objective of the study is first to assess the flows of wastewater generated and treated in India following the SDG indicator 6.3.1 on the proportion of wastewater treated. The study and the resulting report will then comprehensively address multiple dimensions of wastewater reuse in India, encompassing policy, governance, technical standards, and practical implementation in an inspirational case study city.
Particular attention will be given to innovative approaches and pilot initiatives in wastewater treatment and reuse, including decentralized systems, public-private partnerships, and market-based mechanisms. By documenting practical experiences, lessons learned, and emerging strategies, this analysis will serve as a potential model for other megacities in India and globally, offering actionable insights for scaling sustainable wastewater reuse practices.
The main areas of focus will include:
1. Overview of Wastewater Reuse Policy in India
This section will provide a thorough review of the existing regulatory and policy framework governing wastewater reuse in India. It will examine national-level legislation, guidelines issued by central authorities such as the Central Pollution Control Board, and the roles of state and local governments in policy implementation. The analysis will highlight policy objectives, incentives, constraints, and the roles and relationship between federal and state-level regulations regarding wastewater management and reuse.
2. Potential Quantity of Wastewater Reuse in India – Including Prominent Use Cases
This component will quantify the potential for wastewater reuse across various sectors, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial applications. It will identify key cities and states where wastewater reuse could have the highest impact, highlighting prominent use cases and sector-specific demands. The section will also explore the potential for scaling reuse through both centralized and decentralized systems.
3. Current Wastewater Standards for Various Use Cases
An assessment of the existing qualitative standards for (treated) wastewater across different applications will be presented, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial reuse. This will cover quality criteria, treatment requirements, monitoring mechanisms, and compliance challenges, while noting gaps or inconsistencies in current regulations.
4. An example of a megacity and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
The study will then include an in-depth case study of a large and highly populated city (megacity), illustrating practical implementation of decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse. This part of the analysis will focus on:
a. Governance Mechanisms – Examining institutional arrangements, regulatory oversight, public-private partnerships, and (multi) stakeholder engagement in managing decentralized wastewater systems.
b. Reuse Potential – Assessing the volume and quality of treated wastewater that can be reintegrated into domestic, industrial, and other local uses, and the existing regulatory mechanisms.
c. Examples of Successful Wastewater Reuse Market Mechanisms – Highlighting potential and existing financial instruments and business models, incentives, and innovative approaches that have facilitated effective reuse, including public-private collaboration and community-based initiatives.
5. Discussion on Wastewater Reuse Mechanisms in India and Beyond
This section will synthesize insights from national policies, sector-specific case studies, and national/local experiences to evaluate mechanisms for promoting sustainable wastewater reuse in India. It will discuss barriers, opportunities, and best practices, providing recommendations for policy enhancement, governance improvements, and the adoption of scalable treatment and reuse technologies in urban and rural areas.
The Activities
Activities are expected to include:
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Research Design: Define the scope, objectives, and methodology of the study. Determine the specific metrics and parameters that will be used for estimating the flows of wastewater generated, treated and reused.
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Data Collection: Gather data on industrial and domestic wastewater treatment facilities across India. This may involve collaborating with government agencies, water operators, public authorities.
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Data Analysis: Analyze and interpret the collected data to estimate the country-scale wastewater flows (treated and untreated) from domestic and industrial sources in India.
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Identification of country-scale policies and governance mechanisms that guide wastewater management and reuse at national, federal and municipal levels.
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In-depth investigation of a selected megacity, providing a concrete illustration of the elements discussed in the previous sections. The study will analyse how national and state policies, governance mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks are operationalized at the city level, highlighting both successes and challenges.
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Reporting and communication: Prepare the final report and power point presentation detailing the findings of the study, including the methodology, and results.
The Deliverables
Expected deliverables are:
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Detailed Methodology for assessing wastewater flows generated, treated and reused in India.
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A draft quantification report presenting the data collection, analysis and interpretation on wastewater generated, treated and reused by sectors (domestic and industrial).
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Final report that includes an overview of the wastewater reuse policy in India, and a detailed presentation of a selected megacity, that can provide a concrete illustration of the elements discussed in the previous sections, including the financial aspects and circular economy concept.
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Online presentation of the methodology and the results in a webinar and international fora.
This call invites Expression of Interest from international organizations, nonprofit organizations, NGOs, and research and academic institutions, to lead the activities. Selected institution(s) will be expected to work under the overall guidance of UN-Habitat and in collaboration with other partners in developing the structure and scope of the process, including the reports development.
Selected institution(s) will prepare an Inception report to detail the proposed process. Prior to the completion of the activities, the institution(s) will develop activities report with the overall activities including the outcomes expected and agreed during the inception report. All materials and raw data, if any, shall be handed over to the UN Habitat as part of acceptance of final deliverables.
Institutions interested in complementing their expertise through collaboration are encouraged to submit joint expressions of interest. Such partnerships should appoint a lead entity responsible for subsequently subcontracting the other partner(s).
Short-listed candidates may be requested to submit detailed proposals or provide clarifications.
The Expression of Interest
The Expression of Interest (EOI) should contain, but may not be limited to, the following:
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A concept note including background information and the approach that will be applied by the institution’s contribution towards the dissemination, including the staff/expert, time frame and work plan of each activity proposed;
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Experience of the institution in the research on wastewater management, treatment, and reuse. The institution should be able to perform data collection, verify and analyse the data. This should include a portfolio of projects undertaken in similar contexts (references);
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Institution should specify their intended support, detailing cash and in-kind contributions, which may include staff time, office space, equipment, and other resources, quantified in monetary terms;
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Details on governance and organizational structure, along with resumes highlighting the experience and qualifications of key staff and descriptions of the organization's infrastructure facilities, should be provided;
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Certified true copies of original Audited Account Statements for the last two years
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Latest annual report.
UN-Habitat Financial Contribution
The estimated UN Habitat Financial contribution, detailing cost breakdown of each proposed activities.
Upon selection, UN-Habitat will enter into an Agreement of Cooperation with the selected entity with a value of US$ 12,000 for the successful deliverables.
Overall Timeframe
The work outlined in this EOI will commence in May 2026 and be completed within 5 months.
Submission Requirements and Guidelines
The EOI must be delivered in electronic format no later than Friday 27 February 2026, 23.59 EAT (Nairobi Time), to florian.thevenon@un.org with the reference “Country-Scale research on water reuse flows and policies in India” indicated in the subject.
Contact information
Hezekiah Pireh, Water and Sanitation Team Leader, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat Nairobi, Kenya. pireh.otieno@un.org Florian Thevenon. Consultant, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat Geneva. florian.thevenon@un.org
Other
Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the EOI/or solicitation process. Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission will receive the final solicitation document.