With severely deficient rainfall this year, Goa could face a serious water shortage as early as January 2027. Traditionally, the government has promoted rainwater harvesting as an important way to conserve water. But when rainfall itself becomes unreliable, Goa may need to look beyond conventional conservation measures and explore additional sources. One option is desalination. It is the process of removing dissolved salts and other impurities from seawater to produce freshwater. For a coastal state like Goa, desalination could provide an important supplementary source of drinking and industrial water. Gulf countries, where freshwater is naturally scarce, have used desalination extensively to meet a significant part of their water requirements. Plants require substantial investment, electricity and specialized infrastructure. Goa would therefore need detailed environmental and economic assessments before large-scale projects are undertaken. Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reduction of leakage, wastewater recycling and efficient water use should continue, while pilot desalination and filtration plants could be evaluated for coastal urban areas. Planning for desalination now, rather than waiting for reservoirs and groundwater sources to become critically depleted, could give the state another tool to safeguard its future water security.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
