Experts Split Over Water Footprint of India's Ethanol Push

Debate intensifies as study claims massive water use for biofuel production amid deepening scarcity concerns

A fresh study highlighting the heavy water requirement for ethanol production has triggered a sharp debate on whether India's ambitious ethanol blending programme is sustainable in a country already grappling with severe water stress. While the government celebrates achieving the E20 blending target ahead of schedule, questions are mounting over the long-term impact on groundwater and drinking water supplies.

The controversy erupted after reports, drawing on government-linked data, suggested that producing one litre of ethanol from rice could consume around 10,790 litres of water when accounting for the full cultivation cycle. This figure has raised alarms among environmental experts and water conservationists, especially as many ethanol plants are located in already water-stressed regions.

Water Use Claims Under Scanner

Industry bodies have pushed back strongly against the narrative. The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) described the 10,000-litre figure as a misinterpretation that includes rainfall and crop evapotranspiration rather than direct industrial consumption. 

"Calling ethanol a water guzzler is simply incorrect," said C.K. Jain, President of GEMA. "Modern ethanol plants in India consume only about 3-5 litres of process water per litre of ethanol." He emphasised that plants are becoming more efficient with recycling and zero-liquid discharge systems.

However, critics argue that even if factory usage is low, the broader water footprint of feedstock crops cannot be ignored. According to data shared by Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra earlier, rice-based ethanol stands at roughly 10,790 litres per litre, compared to about 3,630 litres for sugarcane and 4,670 litres for maize.

India's Water Crisis: A Stark Reality

India's per capita water availability has already fallen to 1,486 cubic metres in 2021, placing it in the water-stressed category. Projections indicate it could drop to around 1,140 cubic metres by 2050. NITI Aayog has warned that 21 major cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, risk groundwater depletion.

Agriculture consumes nearly 80% of the country's freshwater, with rice and sugarcane being particularly thirsty crops. In this context, diverting surplus rice or expanding grain-based production for fuel has sparked concerns about competing demands between food, fuel, and drinking water.

Ethanol Programme: Milestones and Momentum

Despite the debate, the ethanol blending programme remains a flagship initiative. India achieved the 20% ethanol blending (E20) target in mid-2025, well ahead of the original 2030 deadline. Total production capacity has crossed 1,900 crore litres, with plants concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar.

The programme uses a mix of sugarcane molasses, juice, broken rice from FCI stocks, and increasingly maize. Officials highlight multiple benefits: reduced oil import bills, lower carbon emissions, and higher farmer incomes. Uttar Pradesh leads production with around 250 crore litres annually.

Shift Towards Maize

In response to sustainability concerns, the government is promoting maize as a less water-intensive alternative. Maize is often rain-fed in many regions and requires comparatively lower irrigation than rice. Industry sources indicate a gradual diversification away from excessive reliance on rice.

Ground Concerns and Expert Views

Farmers and local officials in states like Punjab and Haryana, where groundwater levels have plummeted due to paddy cultivation, express mixed feelings. While ethanol demand provides a market for surplus or damaged grains, long-term water sustainability worries persist.

Water experts point out that virtual water embedded in crops matters in a country facing erratic monsoons and climate change impacts. Some suggest stricter water audits for new distilleries and incentives for drought-resistant feedstocks.

Others counter that ethanol production utilises existing agricultural surpluses and that stopping the programme would not magically restore groundwater—better irrigation practices, crop diversification, and wastewater recycling are needed regardless.

Balancing Energy Security and Water Security

As India eyes higher blends in the coming years, the challenge lies in aligning energy goals with water conservation. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with NITI Aayog, is understood to be monitoring feedstock patterns closely.

Officials maintain that the programme is designed to use surplus grains without compromising food security, while technological upgrades in distilleries minimise industrial water use.

The coming months are likely to see more detailed policy guidelines on sustainable feedstock selection and mandatory water efficiency norms for ethanol units. For now, the debate underscores a larger truth: in a water-stressed nation, every step towards green energy must be weighed against its hidden costs.