New Delhi, March 21, 2026: Vedanta Limited has announced that it recycled and reused over 85 million cubic metres of water across its operations in FY26 (till February year-to-date), reinforcing its commitment to sustainable water management and its goal of becoming fully net water positive by 2030.
The recycled volume is equivalent to more than 34,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, with the company reporting a water positivity index of 0.63 based on internal water accounting aligned with global frameworks. The initiative comes amid growing concerns about water scarcity, with projections indicating a potential 40% global water shortfall by 2030.
Vedanta’s water stewardship strategy is built on a three-pronged approach—Recycle, Conserve, and Replenish—aimed at reducing freshwater dependence, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing groundwater recharge. Several of its key businesses, including Hindustan Zinc Limited, Cairn Oil & Gas, and Vedanta’s Iron Ore operations, have already achieved net water positive status, where water replenishment exceeds freshwater consumption.
The company has also strengthened its operational efficiency, achieving a 31% water recycling rate through advanced treatment and reuse systems. During the year, Vedanta replenished or conserved more than 7 million cubic metres of water through watershed and groundwater recharge initiatives.
Across its facilities, process innovations have contributed to reduced freshwater usage. For instance, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) has implemented reuse of cooling tower blowdown water, saving nearly 4,800 cubic metres of freshwater daily. Similarly, Vedanta Power’s Meenakshi Energy Limited operates entirely on seawater, eliminating freshwater dependency.
Beyond operations, Vedanta continues to expand its community-focused water initiatives. Its water and WASH programmes now cover over 225 villages, benefiting more than 10.5 lakh people in FY26. These interventions include solar-powered borewells, rainwater harvesting systems, sewage treatment plants, and RO-based drinking water facilities, collectively supplying over 30 lakh litres of clean water.
The company has also undertaken several region-specific initiatives, including the development of community ponds and rainwater harvesting structures in Rajasthan, pond rejuvenation projects in Punjab, and groundwater recharge systems across its operational regions. At its Lanjigarh operations, Vedanta has created significant water recharge potential supporting irrigation and local water security.
Aligned with the World Water Day 2026 theme “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” Vedanta’s initiatives also focus on improving water access for women and communities, contributing to better health, education, and livelihood outcomes.
The company’s efforts have received recognition, with Hindustan Zinc’s Rajpura Dariba Complex becoming the first Vedanta facility to receive NITI Aayog’s Scope 1 Water Positivity Aspiring Company certification.
Vedanta stated that it will continue to scale investments in water efficiency, ecosystem restoration, and community partnerships as part of its long-term sustainability roadmap.
x
 (1).jpg)
