Stories
Maharashtra Imposes 10% Water Cut From October 16 Due To El Niño Concerns
- •Maharashtra will enforce a mandatory minimum 10 percent water cut across all urban and rural local bodies starting October 16 to tackle potential water shortages caused by El Niño.
- •Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan announced that detailed dam-wise water plans are set up to August 2027, prioritizing drinking water above all other needs.
- •Local bodies must operate sewage treatment plants at full capacity and utilize treated wastewater for gardening, construction, and washing activities.
- •Industries are now required to use at least 30 percent recycled or reused water, while joint enforcement teams will crack down on unauthorized water extraction.
- •The state has declared drought conditions in 265 talukas and urged citizens to use water judiciously to conserve vital resources.
Key Questions Answered
Maharashtra will implement a minimum 10% water cut across all urban and rural local bodies starting from October 16.
Water availability for agriculture will be determined strictly after meeting drinking water, livestock, and fodder requirements. For irrigation, priority will be given to rabi foodgrain and fodder crops first, followed by other rabi crops, while water-intensive perennial crops will only be considered if sufficient water remains.
Local bodies have been directed to operate sewage treatment plants at full capacity and use treated wastewater for gardening, construction, and washing. Additionally, industries face mandatory water reuse and recycling rules, requiring at least 30% of their industrial water use to come from recycled or reused sources.
