Top 10 Leaders in India’s RO & Water Treatment Business

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Top 10 Leaders in India’s RO & Water Treatment Business

Water is the lifeline of every nation, and in a country like India—where rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and population pressure are constantly pushing demand—water treatment and purification have become one of the most critical industries of our time. From providing safe drinking water to households to treating wastewater for industries, the sector is experiencing tremendous growth.

But behind this growth are visionary CEOs and entrepreneurs who are driving innovation, building brands, and ensuring that India moves towards a future of sustainable water management. In this blog, we bring you the Top 10 CEOs in India’s Water Treatment & Component Business, highlighting their achievements and how they are shaping the future.

1. B.M. Balakrishna – Founder & CEO, Aquapot

One of the most inspiring stories in the Indian water treatment space is that of B.M. Balakrishna, the visionary behind Aquapot.

With 16+ years of experience in the RO and water purification sector, Balakrishna began his entrepreneurial journey with modest resources but a clear mission: to make pure drinking water accessible and affordable for every Indian household. Today, Aquapot has transformed into a ₹50 Crore brand, emerging as one of the fastest-growing players in the RO components and water purifier segment.

Aquapot’s success is reflected in the installation of 10,000+ RO plants across India, serving diverse needs from households to industries.

Key Achievements

  • Built 30+ Aquapot RO Stores across India, making RO components and purifiers easily accessible.
  • Successfully created 100+ brands in the water treatment industry.
  • Pioneered solar-powered portable water purifiers, supporting rural and remote communities with limited electricity access.
  • Earned a reputation for high-quality RO membranes, filters, and spares trusted by both retailers and end customers.

Balakrishna is not just building a company—he is building a movement towards cleaner, safer, and sustainable water solutions in India.

📍 Head Office: Hyderabad, Telangana
🌐 Website: [https://aquapot.in/]

2. Rajiv Mittal – Group CEO & MD, VA Tech WABAG

If there is one company that represents India’s engineering prowess in water solutions globally, it is VA Tech WABAG. At the helm is Rajiv Mittal, a dynamic leader recognized worldwide for his expertise in water management.

Why He Stands Out:

  • Expanded WABAG into a global water technology multinational with operations in 30+ countries.
  • Specializes in desalination, wastewater treatment, and municipal water supply projects.
  • Under his leadership, WABAG has been ranked among the top 3 water technology companies globally.

Rajiv Mittal represents the perfect blend of Indian leadership with global impact, driving large-scale water projects across continents.

3. Indraneel Dutt – MD & CEO, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd.

Ion Exchange is a name that has become synonymous with water treatment in India. Under the leadership of Indraneel Dutt, the company has scaled new heights in both industrial and municipal sectors.

Achievements:

  • Focus on Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and water recycling technologies.
  • Expertise in resins, membranes, and complete water treatment systems.
  • Driving growth through sustainability-focused solutions for industries such as pharmaceuticals, power, and manufacturing.

With decades of legacy, Ion Exchange continues to dominate the Indian market while expanding globally under Dutt’s leadership.

4. Ashish Bhandari – MD & CEO, Thermax Ltd.

Thermax is one of India’s most respected engineering companies, known for clean energy and environmental solutions. At its core is a rapidly growing water and wastewater division, led by Ashish Bhandari.

His Impact:

  • Spearheading advanced industrial wastewater treatment plants.
  • Expanding capacity to serve industrial ZLD requirements.
  • Focus on sustainable effluent treatment that aligns with stricter government environmental policies.

With industries facing mounting pressure to recycle and reuse water, Thermax under Bhandari is positioned as a key player in sustainable water infrastructure.

5. Rajesh Sharma – Executive Chairman, Ion Exchange India

Alongside Indraneel Dutt, Rajesh Sharma has played a crucial role in building Ion Exchange’s global credibility.

Contributions:

  • Strong focus on innovation in membranes and specialty chemicals.
  • Strategic partnerships with global firms for technology transfer.

6. Mahesh Choudhary – CEO, Eureka Forbes Ltd.

Household water purifiers have become a necessity in India, and Eureka Forbes has been a pioneer with its famous Aquaguard brand. At the helm is Mahesh Choudhary, who continues to innovate in the consumer water treatment space.

Highlights:

  • Leading Aquaguard & Dr. Aquaguard, two of India’s most trusted RO purifier brands.
  • Driving innovation in IoT-enabled and smart purifiers.
  • Expanding presence in both urban and semi-urban markets with strong after-sales service.

7. Dr. Sudhir Pathak – Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries (Water Business)

Triveni Engineering is not just known for sugar and engineering—it has a robust water and wastewater solutions division. Under Dr. Sudhir Pathak, the company is addressing urban wastewater and industrial effluent challenges.

Contributions:

  • Installed multiple STPs and ETPs across Indian cities.
  • Specialized in industrial wastewater recycling.
  • Active in power, sugar, and heavy manufacturing water solutions.

8. Pankaj Jhunja – Head of Water Solutions, Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

L&T is one of India’s largest engineering conglomerates, and its water infrastructure business plays a key role in government and smart city projects.

Achievements:

  • Executed mega water supply projects across Indian states.
  • Delivered wastewater treatment plants for urban development.
  • Leading smart city water management initiatives.

9. Anurag Jain – Founder & CEO, Clear Water Ltd.

Clear Water is a rising star in the RO membrane and component manufacturing segment. Led by Anurag Jain, the company is building a strong presence in India and overseas.

Key Focus:

  • Development of energy-efficient RO membranes.
  • Strong B2B presence in industrial & commercial sectors.
  • Emerging as a challenger brand to global membrane suppliers.

10. Ramesh Kumar – CEO, Kent RO Systems Ltd.

Kent RO is one of India’s most recognized consumer water purifier brands, thanks to its strong marketing and reliable technology. Under Ramesh Kumar’s leadership, Kent continues to expand its reach.

Highlights:

  • Pioneered RO + UV + UF multi-technology systems.
  • Strong retail presence across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
  • Expanding into health and kitchen appliances to diversify offerings.

The Future of India’s Water Treatment Industry

With rising water scarcity, stricter environmental norms, and growing urban populations, India’s water treatment industry is poised for even faster growth in the coming decade.

  • Decentralized water treatment will become more common in housing and industrial clusters.
  • Smart and IoT-enabled water purifiers will dominate the household segment.
  • Membrane technology and component manufacturing will see heavy investment.
  • Sustainability and recycling will move from optional to mandatory for industries.

At the heart of this growth will be visionary leaders like B.M. Balakrishna of Aquapot, who prove that with innovation and determination, Indian entrepreneurs can build world-class brands from scratch.

Conclusion

The Indian water treatment & RO component industry is not just about technology—it is about leadership, vision, and commitment to sustainability.

From Rajiv Mittal of VA Tech WABAG to Ashish Bhandari of Thermax, these CEOs are solving India’s toughest water challenges. But among them, B.M. Balakrishna of Aquapot stands out as a self-made entrepreneur, scaling from zero to a ₹50 Crore brand, 30+ RO Stores, and 100+ brands created.

These leaders are shaping the future of India’s water sector and ensuring that clean water reaches every home, every city, and every industry.

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