Goa's Water Supply Reality: Minister Details Current Status and Future Plans
In a detailed statement on Thursday, Goa's Minister for Drinking Water, Subhash Phal Dessai, provided a comprehensive overview of the state's water supply situation, highlighting both achievements and challenges. The minister disclosed that currently, 26% of Goa's population enjoys 24-hour water supply, a figure that rises significantly when storage capacity is considered.
Storage Capacity Key to 24x7 Access
Dessai emphasized that 80% of the population can achieve 24x7 water supply if they have adequate storage facilities. He referenced the Goa Provision of Water Supply Rules 2023, which stipulate that a family of five requires 675 litres of water daily. Consumers are advised to maintain storage for at least one day's requirement, with a recommendation for three days' capacity to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Non-Revenue Water and Infrastructure Challenges
The minister revealed alarming statistics regarding water loss, stating that 40% of water is non-revenue water (NRW), lost primarily through theft, leakage, and inefficiencies. To address this, the government plans to install flow meters and is examining the replacement of 70,000 non-functional water meters with digital alternatives. This move aims to decrease NRW and potentially increase revenue by 30%.
Infrastructure remains a critical issue, with Dessai noting the need to replace 2,000 kilometers of water pipeline. As per the budget, this will be undertaken in phases over the next three years, requiring an estimated Rs 1,200 crore. If both Union and state governments provide funding, the replacement could be completed in one and a half years.
Current Supply Distribution and Future Projects
Breaking down the supply hours, Dessai provided the following distribution:
- 9.4% of the population receives up to four hours of water supply
- 44% of consumers get 4-8 hours of supply
- 13.3% of the population receives 8 to 12 hours
- 26% of Goa's population enjoys 24x7 water supply
Regarding demand and supply, the present requirement is estimated at 695 million liters per day (MLD), while current supply stands at 633 MLD, resulting in a shortfall of 62 MLD. To bridge this gap and meet future needs, the department is working on adding an additional 325 MLD by December 2026. This includes 11 new water treatment plants (WTPs), with nine already in progress.
Opposition Criticism and Policy Demands
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao criticized the government's performance, stating that despite assurances of 24x7 water supply, most people receive only two hours daily. He labeled this a failure of the government and questioned when Goans would truly get uninterrupted water.
Alemao highlighted the state's water crisis, calling for a halt to permissions for mega projects with features like swimming pools that strain resources. He demanded transparency, asking whether a list of projects denied water supply could be tabled. "This is a very serious issue and government should come out with a policy to supply water," Alemao asserted, urging immediate action to address the pressing water scarcity.
