Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has launched a new water management initiative that is expected to significantly reduce the release of water from the Selaulim reservoir by drawing supplies directly from the Kushawati River. The project, which becomes operational from Friday evening, is projected to conserve nearly 70 million litres of reservoir water every day.
Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said the decision has been taken to improve the efficiency of the State’s water distribution system, especially at a time when monsoon rainfall has remained below normal.
According to the minister, the government had been releasing around 70 MLD of water from the Selaulim dam to meet the requirements of Davorlim and surrounding areas, including the Verna Industrial Estate. However, a substantial quantity of water was being lost before reaching its destination due to seepage and other transmission-related factors.
To overcome these losses, the State has commissioned a system that will pump nearly 40 MLD of water directly from the Kushawati River. The water will be supplied to Davorlim and neighbouring regions that previously depended on releases from the Selaulim reservoir.
A 10 MLD treatment facility at Ceulim will also process part of the pumped water, ensuring it is suitable for drinking before distribution to consumers.
Shirodkar said the project reflects the government’s emphasis on scientific and sustainable water management. With the new arrangement in place, routine releases from the Selaulim dam will be curtailed, allowing the reservoir to retain more water for future requirements.
The minister expressed confidence that Goa would have adequate water reserves even if rainfall continues to remain below the seasonal average. He noted that while the monsoon has been weaker than expected, the rainfall received so far has been effectively stored in the State’s reservoirs, and none of the major dams has reached overflow levels.
He further stated that the Selaulim reservoir is currently at around 70 per cent of its storage capacity and is expected to receive additional inflows over the coming weeks if forecast rainfall materialises.
Shirodkar said the government’s broader objective is to maximise the use of alternative water sources while reducing unnecessary dependence on reservoir releases. The approach, he added, is intended to safeguard water availability for domestic consumption as well as industrial needs throughout the year.
