Maharashtra will implement a minimum 10% reduction in urban and rural water supply from 16 October 2026 following a weak monsoon and concerns over potential El Niño impacts and drought-like conditions. The state government has directed municipal corporations, municipalities and gram panchayats to conserve water and manage available reservoir stocks through 31 August 2027, while maintaining an additional 10% emergency buffer in each dam. Drinking water will receive the highest priority, followed by requirements for livestock and fodder, with irrigation releases determined by the availability of surplus water. Industries have been directed to reuse or recycle at least 30% of their water consumption, while local authorities will intensify leakage prevention and operate sewage treatment plants at full capacity to promote the use of treated wastewater for gardening, construction and washing. The government will also coordinate across departments to curb unauthorised water extraction and prioritise rabi foodgrains and fodder. The measures highlight the growing importance of demand management, wastewater reuse and strategic reservoir planning in strengthening Maharashtra’s water security amid increasingly uncertain monsoon conditions.
Source: The Telegraph Online