MAPUSA
Despite being among the first States to declare 100 per cent “Har Ghar Jal” coverage, Goa’s water reality is beginning to tell a very different story – one of shortages, leakages and a system struggling to keep pace with its own claims.
As of March, the State is grappling with an estimated daily shortfall of 65 million litres per day (MLD), with residents in fast-growing urban pockets like Porvorim and Taleigao facing repeated disruptions.
In several areas, supply is not just irregular but also compromised due to contamination from ageing pipelines.
What is emerging is a paradox: A State that officially achieved universal tap connectivity is now battling to ensure that water actually reaches those taps.
A network past its lifespan
At the heart of the crisis lies a crumbling distribution system. Nearly one-third of State’s 6,000-km pipeline network is over four decades old, resulting in frequent bursts, leakages and contamination.
Officials privately admit that the system is bleeding water.
“We are producing enough water on paper, but a significant portion never reaches consumers. In some stretches, losses are so high that supply becomes meaningless by the time it reaches the tail-end,” a senior engineer in the Department of Drinking Water told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
The scale of the problem is reflected in the State’s non-revenue water (NRW), estimated at nearly 40 percent – treated water lost to leaks, illegal connections and metering gaps.
Demand outpaces planning
Compounding the issue is a surge in demand driven by rapid urbanisation and tourism-led development.
Large residential complexes, villas and hotels are placing unprecedented pressure on both piped supply and groundwater sources.
In several coastal and peri-urban areas, traditional wells are either drying up or witnessing saline intrusion – an early warning sign of over-extraction.
Concerned citizens warn that unchecked groundwater use, particularly by high-consumption establishments, risks deepening the crisis in a State otherwise known for abundant rainfall.
Big plans, slow execution
Facing mounting criticism, the government has announced an ambitious roadmap to bridge the gap by the end of 2026.
This includes augmenting supply capacity by over 325 MLD, with major projects such as the Selaulim and Assonora treatment plants expected to come online by mid-year.
At the same time, a Rs 1,200 crore proposal has been submitted to replace around 2,000 km of ageing pipelines – considered the most critical intervention to reduce losses.
Work on select stretches has begun, but progress remains limited.
Efforts are also underway to install 800 digital flow meters to detect leaks and monitor usage in real time, alongside stricter enforcement measures under the amended water supply law.
Implementation question
However, even within government circles, there is concern that execution remains the weakest link.
Last year, less than half of the allocated capital budget for water infrastructure was utilised, raising questions about the State’s ability to deliver on its aggressive targets.
For many residents, the issue is already immediate and tangible.
“We don’t need more announcements. We need water in our taps,” said a resident from Porvorim, echoing a sentiment increasingly heard across urban Goa.
As the State showcases its achievements, the widening gap between certification and supply suggests that Goa’s water story is far from complete.
