State needs to replace 2,000km of water pipeline: Phal Dessai

Porvorim: Minister for drinking water Subhash Phal Dessai on Thursday said that 26% of Goa’s population receives 24 hours water supply in the state, and 80% of the population gets 24x7 water supply if they have storage capacity. Desai said that there is 40% non-revenue water (NRW), and state govt will install flow meters to tap water loss, theft, and leakage.

Dessai said 70,000 water meters are not working, and govt is examining the installation of digital meters to decrease NRW, increase 30% revenue, and plug leakages.

The minister said there is a need to replace 2,000km of water pipeline and, as per the budget, it would be taken up in a phased manner over the next three years. He also said that Rs 1,200 crore is required to replace the pipeline and, if both Union and state govt provide the funds, then the pipeline would be replaced in one and a half years.

Dessai said that 9.4% of the population gets up to four hours of water supply, and 44% of consumers get 4-8 hours of water supply. He said that 13.3% of the population gets 8 to 12 hours, and 26% of Goa’s population gets 24x7 hours of water.

Dessai said that a family of five requires 675 litres of water as per the Goa Provision of Water Supply Rules 2023, and consumers should provide water storage capacity for a minimum of three days’ water requirement. He said it is advisable that storage for at least one day is maintained, and collected water can be utilised 24x7.

Dessai said the present demand is estimated at 695MLD and the present supply is 633MLD, with a shortfall of 62MLD. Desai said that, to remove the water shortage, the department will add an additional 325MLD of water by Dec 2026.

Dessai said that to tackle the present shortfall and also considering future demand, 11 works of new water treatment plants (WTPs) are taken up, out of which nine works are in progress.

Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said govt assured the public it would provide 24x7 water, but considering the reply, it is a failure of the govt. Alemao said that most people are getting only two hours of water supply, and asked when Goans will get 24x7 water supply.

Alemao said the state is facing a water crisis and will stop granting permission to mega projects that construct swimming pools and other things. Alemao asked whether the list of projects denied water supply can be tabled. “This is a very serious issue and govt should come out with a policy to supply water,” Alemao said.