NT Reporter
Panaji
Minister for Drinking Water Subhash Phal Dessai has said that nearly 40% of Goa’s drinking water supply is lost as non-revenue leakage.
He said the issue came to light during his review of the situation with officials of the Drinking Water Department. He said the non-revenue water refers to treated water that does not reach consumers officially and is not billed.
Speaking to media, Phal Dessai, who was allotted the Department of Drinking Water in addition to his other portfolios, said the infrastructure used for supply of drinking water, including pipelines, has become old at many places and needs to be replaced.
“However, we have to see where this 40% of water is lost,” he said adding, “We need to check where it is going – in the soil, in someone’s house or factory,” he said.
Stating that these losses happen mostly due to leaking pipes buried under the soil, Phal Dessai said that he would get it checked. He said that leakages during distribution would mean that the pipelines that are old would have to be replaced. The pipelines are 40-50 years old. “We also have to see how much it will cost us over time if we don’t repair these gaps. Once we study that, we will understand the real cost of the problem,” he said.
Phal Dessai said the department is losing substantial revenue due to drinking water loss. Asked about the quantum of revenue loss, he said the department will study and calculate the loss of revenue. The minister said the main focus will be to curb the leakages of non-revenue water.
The issue of leakages of non-revenue water has been dogging the state government for over two decades.
Apart from the issue of water loss, the minister also spoke about poor working conditions at the Curchorem Water Supply Department.
“Around 75 to 80 staff members are working in a space of only 100 square metres. It’s too crowded, and there are no proper toilets. The condition is very bad,” he said.
Phal Dessai assured that steps will be taken immediately. “I have told the department to find a bigger place. If any government building is empty, we will use it. Otherwise, we will rent a place that is more suitable,” he said.
