The supply of water is basically to the several hundred of apartment buildings spread across Goa. The demand for water is accentuated with the availability of swimming pools in several of these building complexes. Are these swimming pools essential, or is it just a part of the map which is drawn by the builders and promoters to attract apartment buyers?
Even though Goa is not having shortage of water and is a ‘Ladla beta’ (Darling son or ward) as coined by the Waterman of India, Rajendra Singh last year in November during his visit to the State, all of the estimated water in the State is not available for human consumption. This darling ward does not need to be misguided but it needs to improve and for this Goa needs to have skill development in efficient use of water, for which there should be a water literacy movement in the State. The moot question arises is why do we need so many swimming pools in apartments where hardly 5-10 per cent of the residents use it? Why cannot we have a community swimming pool on a membership basis?
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When asked how water literacy in Goa can be brought about, Rajendra Singh, the Magsaysay Award recipient, had mentioned that it can only be done by the residents of Goa who have the knowledge and the power and if they want he was willing to support the movement to save water. Also, engineers need to understand the perspective with science, ecology, natural resource, etc, and then do the community driven decentralised water management in the State.
Raw-water supply in Goa is the highest in India. The national average is 120 litres per capita, per head, per day, whereas in Goa it is around 375 litres, which is far more than double. This increase could be because of the influx of tourists too, apart from the usage in swimming pools. We rightly need to educate people to go in for economical use of water because although we have enough water as of now we may land into issues, over a period of time. Yes, the time is critical and if we do not become water literate now, in another three to four decades we may land in trouble as the population and apartments are bound to grow. We cannot afford to enjoy this luxury of plenty of water now and repent later.
Last year, the Chief Minister of Goa in a programme referring to the statements made by Rajendra Singh assured that “Goa government will be more than willing to support the efforts of NGOs and companies on rain harvesting and other water conservation initiatives. Even though we are the darling son, we assure, we will not be spoilt”.
The act needs to begin now and ensure that every panchayat area can have a community swimming pool which can be used on a fee and membership basis by the enthusiast swimmers. This will not only save space in apartments but also water to a great extent. We have all seen how these swimming pools went defunct during the pandemic.
If we hardly have 5-10 per cent of the residents using swimming pools on a regular basis, a community swimming pool can be more feasible for all and at the same time will save lot of water which can be put to other good use. Water literacy can begin in schools where students can be explained about the importance of water, its proper usage. Being a small State as compared to other bigger States in India, it can be managed if there is will by the State government to do so.
