In a significant stride toward sustainable development and environmental responsibility, the Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with Japanese company Daiki Axis, is spearheading efforts to promote decentralised wastewater management solutions across the state. A dedicated workshop was held on June 27, 2025, under the aegis of Karnataka Udyog Mitra and the Department of Industries and Commerce, bringing together a spectrum of government stakeholders and water infrastructure experts.

The workshop focused on the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and Net Zero imperatives that demand urgent attention in a fast-urbanising India. The event placed the spotlight on Daiki Axis’s Johkasou technology, a decentralised water treatment system that aligns with both environmental sustainability and localised deployment needs.

The Workshop: A Convergence of Governance and Innovation

Held in Bengaluru, the workshop drew an influential crowd of officials and experts, including representatives from:

• Karnataka Housing Board (KHB)

• Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL)

• Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)

• Karnataka Police Housing Corporation

• Public Works Department (PWD)

• Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)

• Departments of Urban and Rural Water Supply

• Department of Medical Education

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)

Senior state officials like S Selvakumar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Industries, and Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development, actively participated in the discussions. Also present were Dodda Basavaraju, MD of Karnataka Udyog Mitra, and Veerabhadraiah B R, Chief Engineer at KIADB.

Their combined presence underlined the administrative commitment to reimagining water infrastructure beyond centralised sewer systems, especially as Karnataka faces water stress in rural and peri-urban areas.

Daiki Axis's Vision and Commitment

Rio Waza, Director at Daiki Axis Japan, shared Japan’s historical journey—from the environmental crises of the 1960s to its transformation into a global sustainability leader. He underlined how Johkasou decentralised wastewater systems played a pivotal role in revolutionising Japan's sanitation approach.

Waza further emphasised Daiki Axis’s core commitments in India:

• Localisation of technology and components

• Skill development programs for technicians and operators

• Community engagement to foster awareness about water conservation

• Creating circular water ecosystems through modular deployment

This collaboration marks a critical intersection between Japanese technological expertise and India’s infrastructure development vision.

Johkasou Technology: A Decentralised Breakthrough

The centrepiece of the workshop, Johkasou, is a compact, decentralised wastewater treatment unit that enables households, schools, institutions, and industries to treat their wastewater locally, thus reducing the dependency on vast sewer networks.

Key features of Johkasou technology include:

• On-site sewage treatment

• Zero discharge or reuse capability

• Modular installation for both urban and rural settings

• Energy-efficient operations

• Support for treated water reuse in gardening, flushing, and other non-potable purposes

Given the inefficiencies and high capital cost of centralised systems, Johkasou offers a cost-effective alternative that is particularly beneficial for industrial clusters, small housing projects, schools, and government facilities.

Tumkur Plant: Building for the Future

A major announcement made during the workshop was Daiki Axis India’s investment in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tumkur, Karnataka. This plant is set to:

• Reduce manufacturing and deployment costs across Southern India

• Support Make in India and localisation goals

• Enable faster supply chains for Johkasou units

• Create local employment opportunities and skilled labour in wastewater technology

The plant is projected to become a key hub for sustainable water technology in India, further aligning with Karnataka’s industrial development plans.

ESG, Net Zero, and Sustainable Urbanisation

Karnataka has set ambitious sustainability goals under its ESG and Net Zero framework, and decentralised water management is a cornerstone of that effort. Large infrastructure projects, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, require efficient and localised wastewater treatment solutions that reduce stress on existing civic networks.

This collaboration with Daiki Axis supports:

• Reduction in water pollution

• Improved water reuse and recycling rates

• Carbon neutrality through lower energy usage

• Lower infrastructural burden on city sewage systems

It also complements India’s broader vision under the National Water Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Jal Shakti Abhiyan to promote hygiene, water security, and conservation.

Karnataka as a Water Infrastructure Pioneer

With this initiative, Karnataka positions itself as a pioneer state in adopting decentralised wastewater treatment. The state has already implemented pilot projects and is exploring wider rollout models across:

• Industrial townships

• Public housing colonies

• Metro stations and depots

• Medical colleges and institutions

• Police housing and government offices

Officials noted that Johkasou-based solutions not only enhance environmental compliance but also align with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) benchmarks.

Conclusion

The Karnataka-Daiki Axis collaboration is more than a public-private partnership—it is a transformative alliance aimed at solving one of India’s most pressing infrastructure challenges: wastewater management. With Johkasou technology, the state can decentralise water treatment, reduce dependency on underperforming sewer systems, and make real progress toward sustainable urban and rural development.

As Karnataka takes the lead in decentralised water solutions, it sets an example for other Indian states to follow, thereby paving the way for cleaner water, greener cities, and a resilient water infrastructure model that is both scalable and inclusive.

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