Government Introduces Rules for Appropriate Use of Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Systems

New Delhi:  In response to an order from the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the matter of O.A. No.134/2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has introduced the Water Purification System (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2023. The NGT’s directive stemmed from a case titled “Friends through its General Secretary versus Ministry of Water Resources,” and the order, dated May 20, 2019, compelled the ministry to establish regulations on the appropriate use of reverse osmosis-based water purification systems.

The newly introduced rules, published on November 10, 2023, provide guidelines for the proper management, storage, and utilization of reject water and discarded elements generated by reverse osmosis water purification systems. These rules are set to come into force from November 10, 2024.

Additionally, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified the “IS 16240: 2023 Reverse Osmosis based point of Use Water Treatment System for Drinking Purposes – Specification (First Revision)” on March 16, 2023. This standard aims to set specifications for reverse osmosis-based point-of-use water treatment systems designed for drinking purposes.

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. The introduction of these rules and standards reflects the government’s commitment to regulating and ensuring the appropriate use of reverse osmosis water purification systems, addressing environmental concerns associated with their usage.