PANAJI: Business and industry think tank, All India Forum for Business and Industry (AIFBI) has issued a caution note urging Goans to conserve potable water and avoid unnecessary consumption or wastage, as the State enters a prolonged dry period following an exceptionally deficient southwest monsoon. The advisory calls for responsible water use over the coming months, with the period of heightened concern potentially extending beyond eight months before the next substantial monsoon replenishment.
The caution comes amid mounting concerns over Goa’s water security, with reports of a daily water-supply shortfall, ageing distribution infrastructure, leakages and rising demand from households, commercial establishments and the tourism sector. While the State continues to draw on its reservoir reserves, the combination of below-normal rainfall and sustained consumption underlines the need for careful management of available treated water.
According to a media report, Goa recorded its driest monsoon in five decades, receiving approximately 2,055.4 millimetres of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against a normal of 3,007.8 mm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a seasonal rainfall deficit of approximately 31.7 per cent, representing nearly 952 mm less rainfall than normal. In certain parts of Goa, this deficit may be as high as 33 per cent.
The rainfall deficiency was widespread across the four monsoon months, with September particularly deficient. Such a shortfall can affect not only reservoir replenishment but also groundwater recharge, soil moisture, springs and the sustained flow of smaller streams. The extent of this impact, however, varies according to local geology, catchment conditions, storage and subsequent rainfall.
Supply deficit highlights structural challenges
The State’s water-supply challenges extend beyond rainfall variability. A report citing Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, placed Goa’s daily water requirement at approximately 695 million litres per day (MLD), with a reported shortfall of around 65 MLD.
The report identified ageing pipelines, leakages and disruptions associated with road works among the factors contributing to the deficit. It also noted that a substantial portion of the State’s approximately 6,000-kilometre water pipeline network is more than four decades old, highlighting the scale of the infrastructure modernisation required.
Water lost through distribution networks represents a significant opportunity for conservation. However, non-revenue water must not be equated entirely with physical leakage, as the category can also include unauthorised consumption, metering inaccuracies and other administrative losses. Accurate measurement, leak detection and timely repairs are therefore essential to identify where interventions can deliver the greatest gains.
For AIFBI, the immediate priority is to encourage citizens and businesses to recognise that treated drinking water is a limited and valuable public resource, particularly during an extended period of reduced natural replenishment. The forum will run several digital campaigns to create awareness among Goans in the coming months.
Avoid using drinking water for non-essential purposes
The advisory assumes added significance as Goa’s tourism economy, growing settlements and commercial establishments place continuing demands on municipal water systems. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, residential complexes and other high-consumption establishments have an important role to play in reducing avoidable use without compromising essential hygiene and public health.
Residents are urged to repair leaking taps, flush systems and plumbing connections promptly, avoid allowing water to run unnecessarily, and use only the quantity required for domestic purposes. Treated potable water should not be routinely used for gardening, washing vehicles, filling or repeatedly changing swimming-pool water, or other activities for which suitable alternative sources are available.
Where technically and legally appropriate, rainwater harvesting, treated wastewater reuse and non-potable water systems can reduce dependence on treated drinking water. Such alternatives must be properly designed and maintained, with clear separation between potable and non-potable networks to prevent cross-contamination.
Businesses can also introduce regular water audits, monitor consumption through meters, install water-efficient fixtures and investigate unusual increases in usage. Tourism establishments, in particular, can assess laundry operations, landscaping requirements and pool-management practices to identify opportunities for savings.
Reservoir reserves require careful management
Despite the deficient monsoon, the State’s immediate water outlook is not determined by rainfall figures alone. Minister Phaldesai has claimed that existing reserves were sufficient to meet requirements at least until May-June next year, while the government examined contingency measures to supplement supplies.
This distinction is important: a rainfall deficit does not automatically mean an immediate drinking-water emergency. Reservoir storage, withdrawals, treatment capacity, distribution efficiency, groundwater availability and future weather conditions all influence the reliability of supply.
Nevertheless, the absence of substantial replenishment over several months could place increasing pressure on stored resources, especially if consumption rises during the hotter season. Responsible conservation can help preserve the available buffer and reduce the risk of localised shortages.
Conservation must complement infrastructure improvements
AIFBI’s caution also reinforces the need for a coordinated response involving citizens, industry, tourism operators and government agencies. Public awareness can reduce waste, but sustained water security will require investment in pipeline replacement, systematic leak detection, accurate measurement, efficient treatment plants and transparent monitoring of supply and demand.
Authorities should periodically communicate reservoir levels, projected consumption, supply deficits and conservation measures in a manner that allows the public to understand the situation without creating unnecessary alarm. Water-management decisions should be guided by verified data and updated as conditions change.
The State can also strengthen long-term resilience by expanding rainwater harvesting, protecting catchment areas, restoring suitable traditional water sources and evaluating alternative supplies. Any use of reclaimed wastewater or water from abandoned mining pits must be preceded by appropriate testing and treatment to establish compliance with the relevant water-quality standards.
As Goa prepares for months of limited or zero rainfall, AIFBI’s message is clear: conserving potable water must become a shared responsibility rather than a response reserved for periods of visible scarcity. Every litre saved reduces avoidable demand on treatment and distribution systems and helps preserve resources for essential household needs.
The objective is not to encourage panic, but to promote foresight. By combining disciplined consumption with evidence-based planning and infrastructure improvements, Goa can better manage the risks associated with an unusually deficient monsoon and protect the reliability of drinking-water supplies through the approaching dry season.