New Delhi, Mar 23: Vedanta Limited, announced a significant milestone in its water stewardship journey on World Water Day. The company has recycled and reused over 85 million cubic metres of water across its operations in FY26 (till February YTD)—equivalent to the volume of more than 34,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Vedanta’s water positivity index currently stands at 0.63, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable water management while ensuring continued business performance and shareholder value.
As India faces increasing water stress due to climate variability and rising demand, Vedanta’s approach combines Recycle, Conserve, and Replenish strategies to achieve sustainable water usage across operations and communities:
- Recycle: Reuse of treated water to reduce freshwater dependence.
- Conserve: Enhancing operational efficiency and lowering water consumption.
- Replenish: Recharge water through watershed and community initiatives.
Several Vedanta businesses—including Hindustan Zinc Limited, Cairn Oil & Gas, and the Iron Ore Business—have achieved net water positive status, replenishing more water than consumed. Across operations, the company achieved a 31% water recycling rate, among the highest globally for water-intensive industries, through advanced treatment and reuse systems.
Operational Innovations:
- BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company Limited) reuses cooling tower blowdown water, reducing freshwater consumption by nearly 4,800 cubic metres per day.
- Vedanta Power’s Meenakshi Energy Limited operates entirely on seawater, eliminating the need for freshwater in operations.
Community Impact:
Aligned with the World Water Day theme, “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” Vedanta’s water and WASH initiatives now span 225+ villages, impacting over 10.5 lakh people through watershed development, water harvesting, and safe drinking water infrastructure. Key initiatives include:
- Construction of community ponds, rainwater harvesting structures, and khadins in Rajasthan to recharge groundwater.
- Rejuvenation of ponds and rainwater pits in Punjab by Talwandi Sabo Power Limited.
- Groundwater recharge pits by Vedanta’s Iron Ore Business.
- Lanjigarh operations created 10 lakh cubic metres of water recharge potential, supporting irrigation across 800+ acres.
- Project SANGAM at Lanjigarh developed 50+ water structures, recharging over 4 lakh cubic metres for 5,000+ community members.
Vedanta’s efforts have also received national recognition, with Hindustan Zinc Limited’s Rajpura Dariba Complex becoming the first Vedanta facility to receive NITI Aayog’s Scope 1 Water Positivity Aspiring Company certification.
Through continued investments in technology-driven water efficiency, ecosystem restoration, and community partnerships, Vedanta Limited reinforces its commitment to responsible water management and long-term environmental resilience, supporting India’s sustainable development goals.
