MAPUSA
Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai appealed to residents to stop using treated drinking water for non-essential purposes such as gardening, filling swimming pools and washing vehicles. Restrictions on such uses, including swimming pools, are being enforced as part of the government's water-management measures.
He pointed out that treated drinking water was supplied at heavily subsidised rates despite the high cost of production, and called on consumers to recognise its value and avoid wastage.
New construction projects will have to obtain water availability certificates and will not be allowed to use treated drinking water for construction activities. The government is also working on clear guidelines and a single-window permission system, expected to be introduced within a month, with a proposed validity of two years.
