PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday admitted that Goa is facing a shortage of 50 million litres per day (MLD) of water daily and that supply of ‘24x7’ to consumers is not feasible.
Sawant, however maintained that the shortage is “temporary”, as the government has taken up augmentations of water supply schemes and the construction of new water treatment plants totalling to 248.6 MLD and the same is expected to be completed by May 2026. He said various measures are in place to tackle the water crisis.
Speaking during the calling attention moved by Opposition on water shortage, Sawant informed the House that while the water demand is 695MLD per day, the government is in position to supply only 632 MLD of water. “I admit that there is a shortage of around 50 MLD of water daily to the consumers,” he said.
“However, these crises are temporary,” he said adding ‘the government has plans to ensure water supply for four hours a day to every household. Infrastructure development for this is underway and will be completed by May 2026’.
He said that the projects include 100 MLD WTP at Selaulim, 30 MLD WTP at Tuem, Augmentation of Assonora WTP by 30 MLD, 25 MLD WTP at Ganjem, and others.
Sawant said that there is no acute water shortage except during maintenance works taken up in case of pipe breakages mostly caused due to ongoing works of laying utilities and breach of Tillari Canal. WRD has already taken up various measures as required to ensure raw water availability especially in North Goa and also alternate arrangement of raw water is initiated.
He said the government had roped in the National Water Commission to undertake a survey of the water bodies in the State and they have recommended various measures like how to use water from mining pits, rejuvenation of lakes, maximum optimization of water from rivers, lakes and other notified water bodies, etc.
“WRD Department is also striving to minimize losses and maximize the utilization of treated water resources. Additionally, it is implementing smart monitoring systems for real time monitoring of water supply schemes. This will help to optimize water distribution networks, detect and repair leaks promptly and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements,” Sawant said.
The House was informed about QR coding of each water body, supply of raw water, instead of treated water to industrial estate and other initiatives.
Earlier, the Opposition grilled the government over water shortage. They pointed out that while the actual water shortage is around 30-35 per cent, there is 25-20 per cent loss due to failure to tap non-revenue water.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that the rampant permissions to the mega projects are changing the demography of State, village and constituencies thus affecting the local people. He said that educational institutions like NIT in Cuncolim are facing water crisis.
The Opposition charged that diversion of Mhadei river water will worsen the situation, especially in North Goa.
