Bengaluru, often called the Silicon Valley of India, is set to achieve another first, this time in water sustainability. Ceramed Engineers, in partnership with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), will establish India’s first full-scale municipal water recycling plant using Direct Nanofiltration (DNF) technology. Currently in its validation phase, the project aims to recycle sewage water into high-quality treated water suitable for non-drinking applications like HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) cooling systems, construction, and industrial processes. The plant is expected to recover 85 percent treated water with just 15 percent reject, positioning it among the most efficient solutions in the water management sector.

How the Technology Works

At the core of the initiative lies Direct Nanofiltration (DNF), a cutting-edge membrane technology developed by Netherlands-based NX Filtration, Ceramed’s global partner. Unlike conventional filtration systems, DNF membranes feature a unique hollow fibre polymeric structure that enables them to remove a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances), bacteria, viruses, pharmaceutical residues (APIs), and microplastics. 

What makes this technology truly stand out is its eco-friendly efficiency—it operates with significantly lower energy consumption, requires zero chemical usage, and consistently delivers a steady supply of water comparable to potable quality, making it both sustainable and highly effective.

From Lalbagh Pilot to City-Scale Expansion

This ambitious project builds on the success of a pilot DNF plant in Lalbagh, where Ceramed has been operating a 1,000-litre-per-hour system since March 2025. The fully automated pilot has demonstrated that secondary-treated sewage water can be reliably upgraded to meet potable standards, with real-time monitoring and remote operation ensuring efficiency. Encouraged by these results, Ceramed is scaling up to a municipal-level installation. The precise location of the sewage treatment plant (STP) for the upcoming unit is yet to be disclosed.

Nanofiltration: The Middle Path Between Reverse Osmosis and Ultrafiltration

Nanofiltration (NF) is an advanced membrane-based water treatment process that sits between reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) in terms of filtration precision. Unlike UF, which removes only large particles and bacteria, or RO, which strips out almost everything, including essential minerals, NF is designed to selectively filter contaminants at the molecular level. Its semi-permeable membranes block heavy metals, pesticides, organic pollutants, PFAS, and even pharmaceutical residues, while allowing essential salts and minerals to pass through. This makes nanofiltration highly efficient for producing safe, high-quality water with lower energy consumption and no chemical additives. Because it balances purity with efficiency, NF is increasingly seen as a sustainable solution for both industrial applications and municipal water recycling.

Why Bengaluru Needs This

Water scarcity is not a distant threat for Bengaluru; it’s an everyday reality. The city, home to over 13 million people, has been grappling with shrinking groundwater reserves, erratic rainfall, and overexploited lakes. Nearly 80 percent of urban water usage in India is for non-contact purposes such as flushing, car washing, and HVAC cooling. These activities don’t require fresh drinking-quality water, yet they consume massive amounts of it daily. 

By recycling sewage into high-quality non-potable water, Ceramed’s DNF plant could free up enormous volumes of freshwater for drinking and essential needs. Ceramed’s Indian project is not an isolated experiment. Globally, NX Filtration’s DNF systems are already operational in Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Europe. A standout example is a 34-million-liters-per-day (MLD) plant in Mexico that successfully converts sewage into drinking water using the same technology. In India, however, Ceramed and BWSSB are taking a step-by-step approach, beginning with secondary reuse in industries and municipalities before exploring direct potable reuse.

Making Cities Future-Ready

While Ceramed has already deployed DNF technology for industrial effluent recycling in die-casting, aluminum anodisation, and bearing manufacturing, the Bengaluru project marks a major shift toward city-scale sustainability. With climate change intensifying drought cycles and freshwater supplies shrinking, innovations like DNF could transform how Indian cities plan their water future. One of the biggest concerns around advanced water technologies is cost. While the output capacity may be around 20 percent lower than conventional systems at the same cost, the operational costs are much lower, making it more economical over the long term. This cost-effectiveness, combined with minimal environmental impact, makes DNF a viable solution for Indian municipalities struggling with both budgetary limits and growing water demand.

Why This Matters to Every Citizen

For Bengaluru residents, this initiative is not just about technology—it’s about quality of life. The city has repeatedly faced “Day Zero” warnings, where taps risk running dry. Families have been forced to depend on private tankers charging exorbitant rates. A reliable municipal recycling system means more affordable water for households, reduced pressure on groundwater extraction, and cleaner lakes and rivers through efficient sewage treatment, while also providing a safety net against future droughts. For ordinary citizens, this translates into a more secure and sustainable water supply, easing daily anxieties about shortages and ensuring that future generations can thrive even in a water-stressed urban environment.

A Blueprint for India’s Water Future

The upcoming DNF-based recycling plant in Bengaluru is more than just an engineering milestone; it’s a blueprint for India’s water-secure future. By turning wastewater into a valuable resource, Ceramed Engineers and BWSSB are demonstrating that sustainability and technology can work hand-in-hand. As India urbanizes rapidly, such innovations will be critical to preventing water crises in other megacities. If successful, Bengaluru’s plant could pave the way for nationwide adoption, making recycled water not a last resort but a mainstream urban utility.