Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Nov 15: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has urged large hotels, residential townships and commercial projects in Goa to adopt effective water conservation measures, stressing the need to balance rapid development with the sustainable use of natural resources.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the day-long ‘Water Management: The Goa Round Table’ conclave on Saturday, Sawant said the government was focused on supporting growth in tourism, real estate and hospitality without placing additional pressure on natural water sources.
He called on major development projects to introduce water-efficient systems, make rainwater harvesting mandatory, conduct regular water audits and install treatment plants to recycle and reuse wastewater.
Sawant said Goa had the potential to become the country's first “water-smart State” by using technology for water conservation and management. He invited educational institutions, research organisations and industry stakeholders to contribute to the initiative and assured them of government support.
Highlighting the State's efforts, the Chief Minister said Goa currently had 706 check dams, with more planned in the coming years. Water treatment projects at Pilerne, Morlem, Assonora and Tuem are nearing completion.
He said Goa's drinking water treatment capacity had increased from 473.5 million litres per day (MLD) in 2012 to 677 MLD at present. With projects under implementation, the capacity is expected to exceed 1,000 MLD.
Sawant also said Goa had achieved 100 per cent household tap-water connectivity under the Har Ghar Jal initiative, becoming the first State in the country to reach the milestone. A pilot project involving 3,888 smart water meters had helped save nearly 19 million litres of water, he added.
According to the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, all 12 talukas in Goa fall under the safe category, with groundwater extraction limited to 23.3 per cent. The State is also exploring the scientific reuse of treated wastewater for industrial purposes.
Efforts are underway to use abandoned mining pits for additional water storage and revive traditional water bodies such as ponds and springs. Sawant said preserving rivers, lakes and springs remained a priority, while innovations in water treatment, automated distribution and smart irrigation could strengthen year-round water security.
Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, Dr Rajiv Kumar, J P Singh, retired Captain Yamini Choudhary and other dignitaries attended the event.
Earlier, inaugurating the conclave, Governor P S Ashok Gajapathi Raju called for mandatory water security assessments before approving construction projects, cautioning that unchecked development could affect the State's water resources.
The Governor said India had recorded a 13 per cent monsoon rainfall deficit this year, while Goa had faced a 31 per cent shortfall, reportedly its lowest seasonal rainfall in 108 years. He said dependence on monsoon rains alone was no longer sustainable and urged authorities to incorporate water conservation into development planning.
He also called for steps to prevent encroachments and pollution of lakes, ponds and wetlands. The Governor highlighted the Fog Net Project jointly undertaken by Goa University and NIT Goa, which aims to harvest freshwater from atmospheric moisture.