The Goa Government is stepping up efforts to conserve water and address groundwater depletion through a state-wide rainwater harvesting campaign led by the Water Resources Department (WRD). Under the initiative, WRD engineers will adopt and complete 200 rainwater harvesting projects across Goa, with each engineer taking responsibility for two projects within their jurisdiction.
The campaign aims to turn rainwater harvesting into a more active, field-level effort by directing engineers to identify suitable locations, work with institutions and industries, and ensure that adopted projects become operational within a year.
Engineers to Take Projects to the Ground
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar has directed department engineers to take a proactive approach instead of waiting for applications from citizens or institutions. Engineers will identify suitable sites, coordinate with local stakeholders and oversee the implementation of two projects each.
The department will focus on high-potential catchment areas, particularly industrial estates and educational institutions. Large factory and college rooftops can collect significant quantities of rainwater, making these locations suitable for harvesting and groundwater recharge.
The initiative also seeks to improve public participation. Although Goa introduced its rainwater harvesting scheme several years ago, limited awareness among citizens and institutional heads affected its uptake.
By placing engineers directly on the ground, the WRD aims to bridge this awareness gap and encourage more households, institutions and businesses to adopt water conservation systems.
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Financial Support for Rainwater Harvesting
The government also provides financial assistance to encourage individuals and institutions to install rainwater harvesting systems.
Under the scheme, individual houses can receive up to 50% of the installation cost, subject to a maximum assistance of ₹1 lakh. Residential complexes, cooperative societies, apartments, private schools, colleges, commercial establishments, industrial units and hospitality businesses can receive assistance of up to ₹5 lakh.
The policy also supports community-led water conservation efforts. Registered farmers’ groups, NGOs and youth clubs can receive up to 80% of the project cost, capped at ₹5 lakh, for activities such as reviving lakes and constructing traditional kutcha bunds.
For groundwater recharge through borewells or open wells, the government provides assistance of up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a ₹1 lakh ceiling.
Strengthening Water Security Across Goa
The government is also reinforcing existing town planning regulations that require rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in new residential complexes, commercial establishments and government buildings.
With rainfall patterns becoming increasingly uncertain, the WRD sees rainwater harvesting as an important tool to reduce pressure on groundwater resources. The new campaign combines regulatory measures, financial support and direct field-level implementation to expand rainwater harvesting across Goa.
Through the 200-project target, the WRD is placing greater responsibility on its engineers while encouraging industries, educational institutions, communities and households to participate in groundwater conservation.
The initiative ultimately seeks to make better use of Goa’s monsoon rainfall, improve groundwater recharge and strengthen the state’s long-term water security.
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