Transform water systems and unlock measurable, long-term impact

KPMG in India has emerged as one of the leading advisors in the water and wastewater sector, delivering comprehensive, actionable solutions across the entire circular value chain ranging from water resource abstraction and service delivery to sustainable wastewater management and ecological restoration.

Our work is embedded within the firm’s Government and Public Services (G&PS) practice, supported by professionals with domain expertise. Through a sector-focused approach, we collaborate with central ministries, state departments, urban local bodies (ULBs), and public utilities to design and implement water sector programs that are sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.

We integrate policy insight, technical proficiency, and delivery capability to help clients navigate complex challenges in the water sector. The G&PS team has the privilege of working closely with government stakeholders and leading think tanks to drive meaningful transformation at the grassroots level and create lasting impact for communities.

Flagship national programmes

KPMG in India has played a pivotal role in supporting flagship national initiatives such as:

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Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

With a total outlay of more than INR 3 lakh crore¹, JJM aims to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household. KPMG in India serves as the National Programme Management Unit (PMU), supporting implementation across States and Union territories. Our team professionals provide strategic and operational support, helping over 15 crore households which is more than 80 per cent of India’s rural population to gain access to safe and reliable drinking water

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National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

Under this INR 22,500 crore initiative², KPMG in India acts as the Programme Management Consultant for river basin planning, wastewater treatment, and ecological restoration. We have contributed to numerous projects, including key initiatives focused on sewerage infrastructure development and capacity enhancement

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AMRUT 1.0 and 2.0

With a combined outlay of INR 3.77 lakh crore³, AMRUT drives urban water and sanitation reforms across 500+ cities. KPMG in India, as the Technical Support Unit (TSU), has enabled millions of taps and sewerage/septage connections. Our National PMU team provides strategic and operational support to accelerate this implementation

Our services

Strategy and policy advisory

Programme and project management

Technical assistance and capacity building

Revenue and sustainability planning

Bid process management and monitoring frameworks

Institutional reform and governance support

Our engagements

KPMG in India’s engagements span both urban and rural contexts, addressing challenges in water supply, groundwater and surface water management, and long-term sustainability. We have worked extensively with water resource departments and municipal corporations to develop reform agendas, conduct socio-economic assessments, and implement capacity-building programmes. Our engagements include working with central, state, and local governments, and are supported by leading multilateral and bilateral agencies thereby demonstrating our proven credibility and technical depth in delivering large-scale, high-impact solutions.

With operations across nearly 70 per cent of Indian states, KPMG in India delivers context-specific, scalable solutions in the water sector. Our teams blend on-ground experience with expertise in water governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development. We have supported national missions by drafting cabinet notes, investment frameworks, and technical manuals. Our strengths in policy advisory, programme execution, Public-Private Partnership structuring, and donor-aligned financing make us a strategic partner for governments and institutions aiming to transform water systems and unlock measurable, long-term impact.

^[1] Current Status of Jal Jeevan Mission, Press Information Bureau (Government of India), March 2025. Accessed on November 3, 2025.

^[2] A Holistic Approach for Cleanliness of River Ganga, National Mission for Clean Ganga (Ministry of Jal Shakti), Press Information Bureau, March 2025. Accessed on November 4, 2025.

^[3] AMRUT 2.0 Scheme Overview, Press Information Bureau (Government of India), March 2022. Accessed on November 3, 2025.

Driving growth with Water sector

National AI Summit on Water 2026
Global Water Summit 2026
IFAT Delhi 2026
ET Infra Water Conclave 2026

Nilachal Mishra

Partner and Head, Government & Public Services (G&PS), National Leader - Government and Infrastructure

KPMG in India

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Activate integrated AI data for smarter urban workflows. AI can help public utilities work better. When systems share data, decisions become faster, and services improve. It also makes urban governance more efficient and easier to manage
Water is emerging as the next frontier of India's digital public infrastructure journey. With the scale of its flagship water programmes and the maturity of its digital ecosystem, an AI-enabled digital water stack can become a public good - helping reduce losses, improve resilience, and fundamentally change how water is used, managed, and governed
India has also significantly expanded its water infrastructure, with crores of households receiving tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT programmes. This has generated enormous volumes of data, and the next phase of transformation will depend on how effectively we use this data through AI and intelligent digital water stacks.

AI can become a force multiplier across the entire water value chain, from leak detection and reduction of non-revenue water to predictive maintenance of pipes, pumps, and valves. It can help forecast water consumption patterns, improve operational efficiency, and integrate data from rainfall systems, satellite imagery, and hydrological models for flood prediction and disaster management. While India has already implemented several successful pilot projects, the next challenge is scaling these innovations nationally through strong institutional mechanisms, data-sharing frameworks, incentives for utilities, startup-led innovation ecosystems, and capacity building.

Sumouleendra Ghosh

Partner and Global Lead - Water Sector, Government and Public Services

KPMG in India

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Megacity transformation demands a fundamentally different approach vis-à-vis smaller urban bodies. It starts with rigorous upfront planning, modular execution at scale coupled with effective integration, and diversified funding. Equally critical is the ability to align multiple stakeholders and insulate long-term infrastructure from short-term political cycles. Without this, even well-designed programs risk falling short.

Sumouleendra Ghosh

Partner and Global Lead - Water Sector, Government and Public Services

KPMG in India

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India's water sector public procurement landscape is evolving rapidly, with several noteworthy trends shaping its direction. There is an increasing emphasis on evaluating lifecycle costs rather than focusing solely on the upfront asset acquisition expenses.

Additionally, contracts are now frequently structured with extended durations, often integrating long-term operations and maintenance responsibilities alongside traditional EPC agreements. Another significant shift is the move away from technology-prescriptive requirements towards more technology-agnostic tenders, encouraging broader participation and innovative solutions within the sector.

Kumar Saket

Associate Partner, G & PS-HHSS
KPMG in India

The water sector is entering a new phase in which the sustainability of created infrastructure is becoming as important as fresh capital deployment.

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