‘TN’s tech-driven model is key to water self-sufficiency’

Chennai-headquartered Va Tech WABAG Ltd has emerged as an Indian MNC in the water treatment space, with nearly 50% of its revenue coming from international business. While the Rs 3294 crore company remains bullish on West Asia—which contributes about 30% of its topline—despite ongoing war tensions, it has a strong order book of more than Rs 16,000 crore. CMD Rajiv Mittal, spoke about emerging opportunities, expansion, the Tamil Nadu model, and growth. Excerpts:

 WABAG is expanding into areas such as data centres. What are the opportunities?

Data centres are a key emerging segment. They consume significant energy and water, especially for cooling. Cooling towers require large volumes of treated water that must be efficiently recirculated. This is where we add value—supplying, treating, and recycling water in a cost-effective manner. The segment is growing rapidly and will continue to drive demand.

 What is your strategy in new sectors such as hydrogen, solar, and semiconductors?

These sectors are still evolving. Hydrogen, solar PV, and semiconductor fabrication require ultra-pure water—far beyond drinking water standards. We are engaging through smaller, tech-driven projects and have set up dedicated teams. Among these, solar is scaling the fastest, while hydrogen remains at an early stage. These sectors are expected to grow significantly over the next three to five years.

 Chennai is emerging as India's desalination capital. How do you view TN's water model?

TN is a leader in adopting a tech-driven approach through desalination and water reuse. Chennai, like Singapore, is in a rain-shadow region with no reliable perennial water sources and depends heavily on seasonal rainfall, particularly northeast monsoon. Singapore addressed this early by investing in desalination and recycled water (NEWater), reducing dependence on imports. Chennai has followed a similar path. Earlier, it depended on sources such as Krishna, Cauvery, and Veeranam, involving interstate dependencies. It has since shifted to a "manufactured water" model—desalination for potable use and recycled water for industrial demand. With new desalination capacity, nearly 70% of Chennai's water needs are expected to be met through such systems. This marks a shift to a tech-led, self-sustaining model, replacing earlier dependence on tanker supply.

 When you executed your first project in Chennai, what was the mindset, and how has the state evolved?

Credit goes to successive state govts for being open to tech and investing in long-term solutions such as desalination. While desalination is often seen as expensive, it is far more reliable than tanker water, which is costly and inconsistent in quality. Large-scale projects, including 400MLD plants, reflect this long-term vision. This has enabled Chennai to support water-intensive industries such as semiconductors and data centres. Importantly, policy continuity across govts has ensured sustained focus on water and power self-sufficiency.

 Can this model be replicated in water-scarce states?

Some states follow a different approach. Gujarat relies on the Narmada river and has built extensive pipeline networks to transport water across the state. However, I would argue that a tech-driven model—based on desalination and reuse—is more reliable and sustainable. Rivers can dry up, but seawater and wastewater are perennial sources. These systems are effectively drought-proof.

 How is the Clean Ganga project progressing?

It is far better than earlier efforts, though scope for improvement remains. The Ganga is not just any river—it carries deep cultural and religious significance for Hindus and flows across multiple states. We have been involved along the entire stretch, from Uttarakhand to West Bengal, and it has been a satisfying experience, with visible improvements in water quality.