India’s fishery sector is hemorrhaging $2.2 billion annually due to water pollution from untreated wastewater, according to a groundbreaking study released this week at the World Ocean Summit in Japan. The research, conducted by the ocean health initiative Back to Blue and the Ocean Sewage Alliance, reveals the staggering economic toll of inadequate wastewater management on India’s fisheries, agriculture, and public health.
The Economic Toll on Fisheries
The study shows that India’s fishery sector loses 5.4% of its economic value annually—$2.2 billion—due to pollution from untreated wastewater contaminating waterways. This loss is the highest among the five countries studied, including Brazil, Kenya, the Philippines, and the UK.
“This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an economic crisis,” said Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a marine economist based in Chennai. “Our fisheries support millions of livelihoods and contribute significantly to food security. When wastewater pollution destroys fish habitats, it’s not just fish that suffer; it’s entire communities.”
Public Health Crisis
Beyond the fisheries, the economic impact extends to public health. The study documents an annual economic loss of $246 million from diarrhea caused by contaminated drinking water. With a wastewater treatment rate of just 21%, India faces the highest healthcare costs among the countries studied.
“Untreated wastewater doesn’t just pollute rivers and oceans—it poisons people,” said Dr. Priya Sharma, a public health specialist in Mumbai. “Children are particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, which can lead to malnutrition, developmental delays, and even death.”
Agricultural Impacts
The research also reveals significant agricultural losses. While India experiences lower proportional losses due to soil salinity compared to Brazil, it still suffers the highest absolute revenue loss of $1.2 billion annually from wastewater-irrigated crops.
“Farmers using contaminated water may see short-term benefits from the nutrients in wastewater, but over time, heavy metals and salinity destroy soil fertility,” explained agricultural scientist Dr. Vikram Mehta. “This creates a vicious cycle where farmers must use more water and fertilizers to maintain yields, further depleting resources.”
The Path Forward
Experts emphasize that investing in wastewater infrastructure is critical to addressing these challenges. “The cost of inaction is clear,” said Amelia Wenger, Conservation Scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “We need both large-scale treatment plants and decentralized systems where infrastructure is lacking.”
The study highlights innovative solutions:
- Decentralized wastewater treatment systems for rural areas
- Circular economy approaches that repurpose treated wastewater as organic fertilizer or biogas
- Advanced technologies for real-time water quality monitoring
- Public awareness campaigns about water conservation and pollution prevention
India’s Water Scarcity Context
In a country where water scarcity affects over 600 million people, wastewater management takes on added significance. “Expanding treatment capacity isn’t just about pollution control—it’s about water security,” said Nitin Bassi of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water. “If we can capture, treat, and reuse more wastewater, we can reduce pressure on freshwater resources while creating economic opportunities.”
Global Comparisons
The study provides valuable comparisons with other nations:
- Kenya experiences 5.1% annual losses in its fishery sector
- Brazil faces severe agricultural impacts from soil salinity
- The Philippines suffers significant public health costs
- The UK, despite better infrastructure, still faces economic losses from wastewater pollution
Conclusion
As World Water Day approaches, the study serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and business leaders. The economic case for investment in water treatment infrastructure has never been stronger. For India, addressing this crisis isn’t just about cleaning up water—it’s about securing the future of millions who depend on clean water for their livelihoods, health, and food security.
The path forward requires collaboration across government, private sector, and civil society to implement solutions that balance economic development with environmental protection. The alternative—continuing down the current path—means accepting billions in lost economic potential and countless preventable illnesses and deaths.