MAPUSA/MARGAO
With Goa staring at a significant rainfall deficit, Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Thursday sought to allay fears of a drinking water crisis, saying the State has sufficient reserves to meet its requirements at least until May-June.
At the same time, the government is preparing contingency measures, including tapping water accumulated in abandoned mining pits and stepping up storage through check dams, to reduce pressure on major reservoirs.
“People need not panic,” Phal Dessai said, maintaining that the Water Resources Department (WRD) and Drinking Water Department were closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to safeguard supplies.
The minister said the Selaulim reservoir, the main source of drinking water for South Goa, continued to receive water, although normally the inflow starts declining and may cease by November.
He said the government was keeping a close watch on the reservoir and other smaller water bodies to ensure that the available stock lasts through the dry months.
A key contingency being worked out is the use of abandoned mining pits that have filled with water. Phal Dessai said the government was examining advanced filtration and treatment technologies to make this water suitable for supply.
The move, he said, would help supplement existing sources and reduce the pressure on Selaulim and other drinking water reservoirs.
The government is also looking at strengthening water conservation through bandharas or check dams. The WRD is preparing to install plates at appropriate locations and timings to retain excess runoff and improve water storage.
Phal Dessai said another spell of around 20 inches of rainfall would significantly ease the situation. Even if the State faces a severe drought-like situation, he said the government’s present water management measures should ensure supplies at least until May.
On the question of desilting major reservoirs such as Selaulim, the minister said it had not been considered necessary so far as there had been no significant loss of storage capacity. However, he said the government would take up desilting if the need arose.
The minister's assurance comes amid growing concern over the impact of deficient rainfall on Goa's water security, particularly as the State enters the crucial post-monsoon period when reservoir inflows normally begin to taper off.
To tide over the possibility of springs and streams running dry early , the Minister mulled deployment of water tankers to supply water to residents inhabiting the remote areas of the state.
“We were rid of water tankers last year. But, if the need arises this year due to the rain deficit, the water tankers will return back to supply water to the people”, he added.
