Can India’s Textile Boom Also Save Our Water?
Weaving a Sustainable Future for Generations Ahead
India’s textile and apparel sector is a powerhouse—second only to agriculture in providing livelihoods and contributing nearly 3% to our GDP. With the PM MITRA scheme setting its sights on a US $350 billion industry by 2030 and 2.1 million new jobs, the future looks bright.
But here’s the question we must ask ourselves: As our looms spin faster, will our rivers run dry?
This sector is also among the largest consumers and polluters of water—and without urgent action, the same growth that powers our economy could strain one of our most precious resources beyond repair.
Water use in Textiles: A Global and Indian Perspective
Globally, the textile industry draws about 93 billion cubic metres of freshwater annually, around 4% of global withdrawals. In India, the challenge is even starker: processing one tonne of cotton cloth uses 200–250 m³ of water, over double the global best practice.
Producing a single cotton T-shirt? That can take 2,700 litres of water, almost three years’ worth of drinking water for one person.
Pollution from Dyeing and Processing
Textile dyeing and finishing contribute to ~20% of global industrial water pollution. In India, wastewater from these processes often contains unfixed dyes, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals, including arsenic, benzene, and lead- flowing untreated into waterways.
The result? Depleted aquatic life, higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) in rivers, and health risks for communities relying on these waters.
Water Stress and Governance Challenges
Many textile hubs sit in regions of high to extreme water stress. Over-extraction of groundwater is common, while Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) often fail due to poor maintenance or low capacity.
Even with strong policies, implementation gaps mean progress is slow. By 2030, water demand may double supply, risking a 6% GDP loss if we fail to adapt.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives and Water-Saving Solutions
The good news? Innovation and tradition can go hand in hand to make the industry sustainable:
Process Innovations
- Supercritical CO₂ Dyeing – No water, no pollution; best for synthetics.
- Cold-Pad Batch & Pad-Steam Dyeing – Lower water use through process integration.
- Digital & Dope Dyeing – Colour added before fibre formation, skipping wet processes.
Water Recycling & Treatment
- Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) – Every drop reused, none released.
- Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) – Removes 95%+ of dyes from wastewater.
- Effluent Reuse – Treated water cycled back for multiple operations.
Sustainable Materials & Circularity
- Water-Efficient Fibres – Hemp, bamboo, nettle, Piñatex, ECOVERO™ viscose.
- Circular Fashion – Recycling and upcycling to cut new production demand.
Policy & Industrial Ecosystems
- PM MITRA Textile Parks – Shared CETPs, renewable energy integration.
- Water Stewardship Guidelines – Best practices for chemical and water management.
The Way Forward
If we want India’s textile growth to be truly future-proof, we must:
- Enforce ZLD and CETP performance through strict monitoring.
- Reward water-saving tech adoption with incentives and subsidies.
- Promote low-water fibres and circular fashion models.
- Collaborate across industry, government, and NGOs for water stewardship certifications and innovation.
By making these changes today, we ensure that tomorrow’s growth doesn’t come at the cost of our rivers, ecosystems, and communities.
The real question is: Will we act now to weave a future where our looms and lakes thrive together?
Saumya D Tewari
