Installing Water Purification Plants in India – An Overview

Setting up a water purification plant in India or any other country is a daunting task. More often than not, snags in operation and several other factors can contribute to delaying the process. The cost of pharmaceutical plants is high, and mistakes can be expensive and damaging.

To avoid such a situation, it is very important to chalk out proper strategies and adhere to them to eliminate any lags in launching a project. Here is a guideline to follow for installing a water purification plant in India.

Project Planning

Planning is the biggest defense against delays and cost overruns. End product, budgeting, design, and quality control measures are some of the most important factors to consider during the planning stage. Scouting for the perfect location is also essential as it determines licensing requirements, and a good location is a great way to save money on logistics.

Documentation

Documentation is an essential step in the setting up of a water purification facility. Since most documentation processes take time, it is advisable to start the process early. While there may be some regional variations, most water purification plants in India require the following authorizations, licenses, and documentation:

  • ISI certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • BIS report on raw and processed water from a Local Water Testing Laboratory (LWTL)
  • Food license issued by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • Small Scale Industry (SSI) Registration
  • Pollution Control Certificate issued by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) 

Execution

Once the planning stage is completed it is now time to set the plan in action and get the plant up and running. Some of the important things to keep in mind during this stage are:

Choosing the Right Equipment 

Water purification plants in India are dynamic not only in the products manufactured but also in the processes used in the manufacturing. Choosing proper, high-quality equipment not only guarantees consistent quality control but also eliminates the risk of expensive corrective measures.

Right Talent & Adequate Training

Just like any other business, attracting the right talent is key to a successful water purification plant in the pharmaceutical industry. Trained personnel prove to be the biggest asset when seeing a project through. The better we match the right individual to the right tasks, the more effective they will be at delivering the project. It is also important to conduct periodic training to ensure the workforce is up to date on the current industry practices.

Steady Supply of Raw Materials

No business can function properly if the raw material required for the business is not available in the right quantities at the right time. Managing the subcontractors is an essential part of this process.

The project chief should discuss the specific plan and ideas with the subcontractors before they begin the project. Inefficiency in choosing the subcontractors carefully would lead to frequent rework and unnecessary delays in project completion.

Solid Distribution Networks

No matter how good your product is, without a solid distribution network, it is of no use. Developing a network, however, takes time and the best way to start is to learn more about the industry, the processes, best practices and stay up to date on the internal happening of the pharmaceutical industry. 

Having a sound logistics and transportation can also be a great place to start. The easier your goods can move, the better your chances of taking your business to the next level.

Operational Strategies

From the volume of the manufactured product to the maintenance system and durations, determining operational strategies is an integral part of the process. 

As pharmaceutical products have a sensitive use case, hygiene is an important consideration in pharmaceutical companies. Adopting the right SIP and CIP strategies can offer several advantages and eliminate unnecessary risks. 

Another important factor to keep in mind is wastewater treatment. The impact of pharma operations on water as a natural resource has been widely discussed in recent times. It is the responsibility of every pharma manufacturing company to adopt efficient wastewater management techniques to ensure that public health is not put at risk.

In addition to the above mentioned factors, it is a good idea to have a periodic and thorough self-assessment and inspection to make sure everything is running as it should be.

Effective Tips and Tricks

Maintain Records

The water system validation processes mandate keeping records, but even otherwise, it is a good idea to maintain proper records. Not only it makes the process of authorized inspections less daunting, but it also helps to notice emerging trends and get rid of any issues before they become too big to control.

Contingency Plans

No matter how much we try, things will go astray at times. It is essential to always have a contingency plan in place to tackle a sudden issue and have resources available to correct the same. Keep time for undiscovered work, such as budget and resource shortages or employee conflicts, and have ways to troubleshoot immediately.

Set Milestones

Assess the importance of activities and verify the work schedule. Adjust priorities for construction activities as found necessary. Time-sensitive tasks should be moved to the top of the list.

Apart from these issues, there may be a bevy of other problems that could result in your water treatment facility starting operations. It is important to not only look into potential issues at the site but also keep in mind fringe factors while planning the project. Foresight and experience allies while setting up a water purification plant in India or elsewhere.

While all businesses have a moral and social responsibility, when it comes to pharmaceuticals, the stakes are higher than the rest. Especially in a country like India, pharma companies play a huge role in shaping the health infrastructure of the nation. Understanding this responsibility and having measures in place to act upon it is the deciding factor that separates an acceptable pharma company from a successful one.


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Hetal Panchal is the Vice President in Operations department of TSA Process Equipments (A Thermax Group Company) since 1 s t October 2012.

Holding a qualification in Production Engineering and 28 years of industry experience, he specializes in designing advanced equipment for the pharmaceutical sector. His expertise lies in optimizing production lines, improving efficiency, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Focused on innovation, he has developed systems that enhances productivity, minimizes downtime, and maintains product quality. Staying current with technological trends, they contribute to ongoing improvements in the industry.
His extensive experience has helped identify opportunities for innovation, streamlining operations and reducing costs. Through his specialized knowledge, more efficient manufacturing processes and higher-quality outputs in pharmaceutical production are delivered.

B.C. Mahesh is the Chairperson of TSA Process Equipment Pvt. Ltd. since Feb 2024.

B.C. Mahesh became a member of the Executive Council in August 2013. He is responsible for the Industrial Product Business (IPB), which consists of Process Heating, Absorption Cooling & Heating Solutions, Water and Waste Solutions, Air Pollution Control, Steam Engineering, Channel Business Group, International Business Group, and Enterprise Sales businesses.
As part of IPB, he also oversees the following wholly-owned subsidiaries
of Thermax – Danstoker, PT Thermax International Indonesia and Rifox.Mahesh joined Thermax as a graduate trainee in 1988 and handled the Materials function for various businesses, including global sourcing, till 1996.
He moved to the Power division(P&ES) and grew to the position of Sales Head and subsequently Head of Projects. He took over as the Head of the SBU for Medium Power Plants in 2009 and finally as Head of Power business in 2012.
Mahesh has worked with Thermax for over 30 years in many functions such as manufacturing, supply chain, sales and marketing, and project management, and has played a significant role in the strategy, expansion and diversification of the Power business.Mahesh completed his Mechanical Engineering from the Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering, Nagpur in 1988.

Vishal Mehra is the Director of TSA Process Equipment Pvt. Ltd. since Feb 2024.

Mr. Vishal Mehra is currently serving as the Strategic Business Unit Head for Water & Waste Solutions (WWS) at Thermax Limited. Additionally, he holds a directorial position at TSA Process Equipment, which is known for its expertise in ultra-pure and high-purity water technologies and was recently acquired by Thermax.With over 22 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Mehra’s professional focus includes water management solutions, advanced technology development, and business strategy.
His areas of interest encompass cutting-edge technology, growth strategies, organizational effectiveness, and development.
Mr. Mehra is well qualified in business management and strategy transformation, having completed the Senior Executive Program in Business Management and Strategy Transformation from London Business School. This advanced education supports his extensive experience and expertise in the field.

Sandeep Deshpande has been the Director of TSA Process Equipments Pvt. Ltd. since February 2024.

Currently, he serves as the Head of Corporate Finance and the Industrial Product Group at Thermax Limited. With over 21 years of experience in finance, he has developed expertise in financial consolidation, planning, reporting, costing, accounting, controlling and financial modeling.
Currently, he serves as the Head of Corporate Finance and the Industrial Product Group at Thermax Limited. With over 21 years of experience in finance, he has developed expertise in financial consolidation, planning, reporting, costing, accounting, controlling and financial modeling.
Sandeep is a qualified Cost Accountant Company Secretary, and holds a diploma in IFRS and an advanced diploma in financial management from XLRI. He has extensive experience in financial operations, including financial planning, MIS, budgeting, controlling, audits, and cash flow management. His expertise also spans financial reporting, consolidation, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, business restructuring, and implementing Internal Financial Control (IFC) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Additionally, Sandeep has hands-on experience with Oracle systems, automation, digitization, and business analytics. He is passionate about driving good governance, improving financial reporting, and leveraging automation and digitization to enhance business analytics.

Rajiv Parikh is the COO of TSA Process Equipments (A Thermax Group Company) since April 2024.

Rajiv is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors, specializing in high-purity and process vessels. He played a key role in establishing TSA Process Equipments Pvt. Ltd., driving its growth and success. His deep technical expertise, combined with a strong understanding of client needs, has enabled him to deliver innovative solutions to complex industry challenges.

Throughout his career, Rajiv has excelled in leadership and sales, consistently launching cutting-edge products that have positively impacted the market. His ability to build lasting client relationships and offer tailored solutions has earned him a reputation as a trusted industry leader.

With a background in Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv blends technical proficiency with strategic vision. His contributions have shaped industry standards and positioned him as a key influencer in the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors.

Apurva Shah is the CEO of TSA Process Equipments (A Thermax Group Company) since April 2024.

With a career spanning over 24 years, Apurva is the visionary CEO of TSA Process Equipments, where he has led the company to new heights in the High Purity & process equipment industry. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Mumbai University, followed by an MBA in Business Management from NMIMS, He brings a strong technical foundation combined with a sharp strategic mindset.

His expertise lies in formulating and executing strategies that drive growth and operational efficiency. Over the years, he has cultivated a deep understanding of market dynamics, positioning TSA Process Equipments for continued success in a competitive landscape.

Outside of his professional pursuits. He is an avid reader, with a particular interest in fiction novels, which fuel his creativity and broaden his perspective.