WABAG, an industry leader in total water management, has a legacy of over 100 years and operates across four continents, offering a diverse range of solutions to address critical water and environmental challenges. With a strong focus on innovation and R&D, WABAG excels in handling EPC projects across sectors, having executed over 6,500 projects globally.
In this interview, Mr Rajiv Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of VA TECH WABAG LIMITED, provides an inside look into the company’s noteworthy journey, showcasing his leadership in transforming WABAG into a global powerhouse in water technology. Mr Mittal reflects on how the company has grown from its humble beginnings to become a leader in sustainable water management solutions, consistently driving innovation and sustainability across the industry. He also addresses the evolving challenges of the water sector, from tackling water scarcity to advancing large-scale projects, and shares his vision for the future of the industry, particularly in emerging markets.
Risk management in large-scale water infrastructure begins long before execution; it is anchored in leadership discipline and clarity of purpose
His insights underscore how WABAG continues to push the boundaries of technology and sustainability to shape a more resilient and water-secure future.
You’ve been with VA TECH WABAG for four decades. Can you share what initially drew you to the company and how your journey has evolved over the years to your current role as Managing Director?
Our in-house engineering capabilities allow us to retain design ownership and technical control, reducing dependency and enhancing accountability
What drew me to VA TECH WABAG was simple: water is fundamental to life, yet it is one of the most mismanaged resources globally. Early in my career, I saw water not merely as infrastructure, but as a responsibility.
Over four decades, my journey has evolved from hands-on engineering and institution building to shaping global water strategy, championing sustainability, circular water solutions, and responsible growth across diverse markets. I have witnessed WABAG transform from a modest regional start-up engineering firm into a global pure-play water technology multinational. The most fulfilling part of this journey has been building an organisation that combines innovation and advanced environmental engineering with financial discipline and a strong sustainability ethos.
Leadership, for me, has always meant advancing innovation and sustainability in ways that strengthen institutions, build technological excellence, and create long-term resilience for both communities and the environment.
How does VA TECH WABAG manage the risks associated with large-scale projects like desalination and industrial wastewater treatment?
When you operate what you build, leadership decisions become more lifecycle-oriented, resulting in plants that are more resilient, efficient
Risk management in large-scale water infrastructure begins long before execution. It is anchored in leadership discipline, clarity of purpose, and a culture that prioritises long-term sustainability over short-term gains. We adopt a highly selective approach to project evaluation, supported by rigorous technical due diligence before committing to complex processes such as SWRO desalination or complex industrial projects. Contractual frameworks are carefully structured to ensure balanced risk allocation, particularly in EPC and PPP models, while financial structuring is approached conservatively with disciplined cash flow planning. Our strong in-house engineering capabilities allow us to retain design ownership and technical control, reducing dependency and enhancing accountability. We also integrate long-term O&M perspectives into our projects from the design stage itself. When you operate what you build, leadership decisions naturally become more lifecycle-oriented, resulting in plants that are more resilient, efficient, and sustainable over time.
How important is sustainability in VA TECH WABAG’s water projects, and how is it implemented in the solutions you offer?
Sustainability is central to who we are and how we operate. Our vision is clear and enduring: Preserving Resources, Protecting the Environment and Powering Economies. This vision shapes every project we undertake and defines the standards we set for ourselves across geographies. Our tagline, “Sustainable Solutions for a Better Life”, reflects how we translate that vision into action through engineering excellence, technological innovation, and responsible growth.
For us, sustainability is not a balancing act but an integrated approach; it is about safeguarding water for future generations
Across municipal and industrial projects, we embed water circularity, energy optimisation, and resource recovery into the very architecture of resilient infrastructure. A key expression of this philosophy is our concept of “Manufacturing Water”, where secondary treated water and seawater are transformed into viable, reliable, sustainable and affordable sources of water for utilities and industries. Through large-scale water reuse, energy-efficient processes, biogas-based green power generation, and advanced sludge-to-resource pathways, we create assets that simultaneously strengthen environmental security and enable economic progress. By making projects increasingly self-reliant and economically viable, we consciously move away from traditional government subsidy models and build infrastructure that sustains itself over the long term. Every project is designed with a lifecycle perspective, evaluating carbon footprint, operational stability, long-term affordability, and community impact rather than focusing solely on capital efficiency.
For us, sustainability is not a balancing act but an integrated approach. It is about safeguarding water for future generations while empowering cities and industries to grow responsibly. That alignment between environmental stewardship and economic development lies at the heart of our vision and defines our commitment to delivering Sustainable Solutions for a Better Life.
How do you see VA TECH WABAG’s growth in the industrial water sector in the coming years?
Industries are no longer focused solely on regulatory compliance; they are prioritising water security, operational continuity, and sustainability
The industrial water sector is entering a phase of structural transformation driven by tighter environmental norms, stronger ESG accountability, and increasing pressure on freshwater resources. Industries are no longer focused solely on regulatory compliance; they are prioritising water security, operational continuity, and sustainability as strategic imperatives.
We see sustained growth across traditional sectors such as power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and steel, particularly in complex effluent treatment plants and advanced zero liquid discharge systems where process reliability and environmental compliance are critical. We are today recognised as a leader in the industrial water sector, especially in the Oil & Gas segment, with references across more than 20 countries, including several high-complexity installations integrating advanced treatment and resource recovery models. At the same time, high-technology sectors are emerging as significant growth drivers. Semiconductor manufacturing, Solar PV production, and Green Hydrogen facilities require ultrapure water of the highest standards, demanding sophisticated treatment, polishing, and recycling systems. These sectors are not only water-intensive but also quality-sensitive, making advanced process engineering and operational stability essential.
We are recognised as a leader in the industrial water sector, especially in the Oil & Gas segment, with references across over 20 countries
Desalination and large-scale water reuse will play a defining role in industrial expansion, especially in water-stressed regions. Through integrated reuse systems, complex ETP configurations, and ZLD solutions, we enable industries to reduce freshwater intake, meet stringent discharge norms, and align with global ESG commitments. Our growth strategy is therefore anchored in technology-intensive, high-complexity projects where engineering depth, digital optimisation, and lifecycle thinking create long-term value. We are not pursuing expansion for scale alone; we are focused on building resilient industrial water ecosystems that support both environmental stewardship and economic progress.
With digital tools, real-time monitoring, and automation gaining traction in water utilities worldwide, how is VA TECH WABAG integrating artificial intelligence and smart plant management into its future projects?
Digitalisation has long been an integral part of how we design, build, and operate our plants. Our facilities are equipped with advanced control systems, including SCADA-based real-time monitoring, enabling continuous visibility into process parameters, energy consumption, and performance stability. At our global headquarters, we operate a fully equipped Network Operations Centre (NOC) that provides remote oversight and rapid response capability for plants across geographies, allowing us to manage performance deviations and operational risks in a proactive manner. We have also introduced robotic cleaning of sewer networks under our One City One Operator initiatives in Agra and Ghaziabad, a major safety-led operational intervention that significantly reduces human risk while improving efficiency and reliability in network maintenance.
We are also actively strengthening our digital ecosystem through collaboration with new-generation technology providers. A notable example is our partnership with Pani Energy Inc., where we are implementing applied artificial intelligence to enhance operational excellence. The operational intelligence platform, powered by plant-specific models, artificial intelligence, and digital twins, enables us to integrate world-class analytics into our treatment processes, significantly optimising efficiency, energy consumption, and overall plant reliability.
In parallel, through our BlueSeed initiative, we are investing in and nurturing water-tech start-ups that can accelerate our digital and technology capabilities, particularly in the AI and IoT space. Our recent investment in Nimble Vision reflects this commitment, and several additional collaborations are in advanced stages. For us, digital transformation is not an isolated initiative; it is a continuous evolution that strengthens operational resilience, enhances lifecycle performance, and reinforces our leadership in intelligent water infrastructure.
As the sector embraces digital and green technologies, what skills will be most important for the next generation of engineers and managers at VA TECH WABAG?
Desalination and large-scale water reuse will play a defining role in industrial expansion, especially in water-stressed regions
The future engineer must be truly interdisciplinary, combining strong process fundamentals with digital fluency and a sound understanding of infrastructure finance and risk allocation. Sustainability and circularity can no longer be treated as compliance layers; they must be embedded into the thinking process at the design stage itself. Engineers must approach every project with an instinct to optimise resources, minimise waste, and maximise lifecycle value. An emotional connection with society and ecosystems also plays an important role in shaping responsible design choices, because water infrastructure ultimately serves communities and natural systems. Beyond technical competence, adaptability will remain essential. Water challenges are evolving rapidly, and the next generation of leaders must be comfortable working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, automation, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, and sustainable resource optimisation.
How does VA TECH WABAG manage collaboration with other companies on large-scale projects, particularly public-private partnerships?
Large-scale water infrastructure demands collaborative ecosystems rather than isolated participation. In complex PPP frameworks, successful delivery depends on clarity of governance, disciplined risk allocation, and long-term operational alignment among all stakeholders. Our approach is built on clearly defined roles, transparent performance metrics, balanced risk-sharing mechanisms, and a shared commitment to lifecycle outcomes rather than short-term milestones. We engage closely with leading financial institutions and development partners such as ADB, IFC, and Norfund; construction partners including Rowad, SEPCO, NSH, SSEM, and Ramky; and developers such as Miohona, Marafiq, SSEM, Ramky, and Metito Utilities to ensure that engineering, financing, and operations are strategically aligned from inception. As a technology-led organisation, we develop most of our core processes in-house, while selectively partnering with high-end technology leaders such as Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) where specialised expertise strengthens project outcomes. For us, collaboration is not transactional; it is structured around accountability, mutual trust, and a unified objective of delivering resilient infrastructure that performs reliably over decades.
As water infrastructure financing becomes more constrained in many markets, what approaches is VA TECH WABAG using to secure long-term investment, public-private partnerships, or blended finance?
As global infrastructure financing becomes more disciplined and selective, structured innovation in funding models becomes essential. Our approach goes beyond merely accessing capital; it focuses on designing bankable, performance-oriented frameworks that align public objectives with private efficiency. We have successfully implemented Hybrid Annuity Models in India through landmark projects such as the GNN TTRO facility and multiple wastewater treatment plants for KMDA in Kolkata and BUIDCO in Patna, demonstrating that transparent risk allocation and lifecycle accountability can deliver both financial viability and long-term operational performance. Consistent with our asset-light philosophy, we collaborate closely with financial partners such as TATA Clean Tech, Aseem Infrastructure Finance, and Eversource in HAM-based structures, typically retaining a minority equity position to maintain strategic skin in the game while remaining primarily a technology-led partner. In several markets, we also work alongside multilateral agencies and blended finance institutions to enhance project viability while maintaining strong governance standards.
Via our BlueSeed initiative, we are investing in and nurturing water-tech start-ups that can accelerate our digital and technology capabilities
Equally important is financial prudence. We have consciously maintained a strong balance sheet and an asset-light strategy, participating selectively in concession models only where risk-adjusted returns justify long-term capital commitment. In line with this disciplined approach, WABAG has signed a non-binding term sheet with Norfund and two other international investors to establish a dedicated Municipal Platform focused on developing capital projects in the municipal sector. This platform is expected to commit equity investments of up to USD 100 million over a three to five year period, strengthening our ability to scale sustainable urban water infrastructure. This calibrated capital allocation strategy has allowed us to remain resilient across economic cycles while continuing to invest in technology, capability building, and long-term water security solutions.
Could you discuss how the company’s global strategy adapts to regulatory changes in key regions, such as tighter environmental standards or emerging water governance reforms?
Regulation in the water sector is becoming progressively more stringent, particularly around nutrient removal, industrial discharge, water reuse mandates, and carbon accountability. We do not view regulatory change as a constraint; we see it as a catalyst for technological advancement. Our global strategy is built around anticipating regulatory evolution rather than reacting to it. Strong regional engineering teams ensure that our designs align with local environmental frameworks, while our R&D and process innovation teams continuously refine technologies to meet tighter discharge norms and energy efficiency benchmarks. In this context, our Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy has become a critical response to increasingly stringent environmental standards, enabling industries to eliminate liquid effluents while maximising water recovery and operational reliability.
Across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and emerging markets, we align our solutions with evolving water governance reforms, including circular water policies and mandatory reuse frameworks. Increasing ESG disclosure requirements are also influencing industrial clients to adopt higher environmental standards, and we support them through advanced reuse systems, desalination, complex ETP configurations, and zero liquid discharge solutions. Importantly, we integrate resource recovery models within these projects to enhance economic viability, transforming waste streams into energy, reusable water, and recoverable materials so that environmental compliance is aligned with financial sustainability. Adaptability is embedded in our delivery model, enabling us to remain compliant, competitive, and forward-looking across diverse regulatory landscapes.
What are VA TECH WABAG’s plans for expansion into emerging markets over the next decade?
Adaptability is embedded in our delivery model, enabling us to remain competitive and forward-looking across diverse regulatory landscapes
WABAG focuses on emerging markets, which provide both opportunity and responsibility. Many of these regions face acute water stress, rapid urbanisation, and infrastructure deficits, creating an urgent need for sustainable and resilient water systems. Our expansion strategy is selective and disciplined, focusing on regions where long-term water planning, institutional stability, and multilateral participation provide a supportive framework for sustainable investment. In all such markets, we remain firmly technology-focused, ensuring that every solution we deploy is environmentally sustainable and economically affordable for the communities and industries it serves.
Over the next decade, we will continue to deepen our presence in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other high-growth regions through desalination, large-scale water reuse, industrial water solutions, and long-term operations and maintenance partnerships. We will also leverage digital platforms and performance-based models to enhance operational reliability and transparency. Growth for us is not about geographic spread alone; it is about strengthening technological leadership, building local capabilities, and delivering measurable impact in water security while upholding our vision of Preserving Resources, Protecting the Environment and Powering Economies.
