WRD Minister Flags Low Salaulim Levels, Urges 20% Cut in Use
Panaji: With pre-monsoon heat pushing demand and the monsoon still five weeks away, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Thursday asked Goans to cut water consumption by 20% as he released dam storage data that showed Salaulim, the state’s largest reservoir, at just 42% of capacity. Addressing print and electronic media at the PWD complex in Altinho, Shirodkar said the current level at Salaulim dam was 28.6 meters against a full reservoir level of 41.15 meters. “We are entering May with less water than last year. If the rains are delayed by even 10 days, South Goa will feel the pinch,” he said. The minister’s briefing comes three days before a 48-hour shutdown of the 160 MLD Salaulim plant for pipeline repairs, making the timing of the water audit critical.
Shirodkar said Anjunem was at 38%, Chapoli at 35%, and Amthane at 51%. Only Panchwadi, a minor dam, was above 60%. Together, the seven major dams hold 4,210 million cubic meters against a combined capacity of 9,870 MCM. That is 43% overall, down from 49% on the same date in 2025.
The shortfall is despite a normal 2025 monsoon, with officials blaming high evaporation, increased industrial draw, and pipeline losses. Instead of a routine “levels are satisfactory” line, Shirodkar linked storage directly to household taps. He said the 160 MLD Salaulim plant needs 8 meters of head pressure to run at full load. “We are 4 meters short today. After May 7, when the plant restarts post-repairs, we will run it at 130 MLD unless we get pre-monsoon showers,” he said. That means a 19% supply cut to Margao, Vasco, and the coastal belt even after the shutdown ends. The minister announced four immediate steps. Night-time supply cuts will begin in high-consumption zones from May 3. Filling swimming pools and washing cars with pipeline water is banned till June 15. WRD teams will be deployed to plug visible leaks in Salcete and Mormugao within 48 hours of reporting. A public dashboard showing daily dam levels will go live on the WRD website starting Friday. Shirodkar also addressed the link between water and safety. He said WRD would fund AED units and first-aid training at all major dam sites after recent sports tragedies highlighted poor emergency response. “Water security and life security go together,” he said. Farmers in Sanguem and Quepem, who depend on Salaulim canal water, were told to expect rotational supply from May 10. “Save kharif paddy by using drip wherever possible,” Shirodkar said, adding that the department would release water for drinking first, irrigation second, and industry third if levels dip below 25%. The minister ended with a local analogy: “We close the tap while brushing. Now we must close the tap on wastage across Goa.” he said
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