Maharashtra’s government announces a minimum 10% cut in water supply across urban and rural local bodies starting October 16. The decision follows concerns about a deficient monsoon and risks of drought-like conditions, with state officials saying drinking water will be given the highest priority.
According to the state Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, the government has carried out dam-wise and use-wise planning of available water stocks up to August 31, 2027. The plan includes keeping an additional 10% emergency buffer stock in each dam and reserving water for drinking purposes, accounting for losses such as evaporation and siltation, as well as unauthorised extraction. Water for irrigation is to be released only after meeting drinking, livestock and fodder needs.
Multiple outlets also report that the directive extends beyond household supply. Local bodies are told to reduce losses by tackling leakage and to run sewage treatment plants at full capacity, using treated wastewater for activities such as gardening and construction. Industries are instructed to reuse or recycle at least 30% of their water use, and state departments plan coordinated efforts to curb unauthorised extraction.
