The Goa government is actively considering a significant upgrade to its water infrastructure. Drinking Water Minister Subhash Phal Dessai revealed to TOI that a proposal to replace all manual water meters across the state with smart water meters is under serious consideration.
Addressing a Major Financial Drain
Minister Phal Dessai highlighted a pressing financial issue. The state currently loses nearly Rs 50 crore every year due to water thefts and faulty manual meters. This substantial revenue loss is a primary driver behind the push for modernization. The government is determined to plug this financial leak.
Implementation Through Public-Private Partnership
The plan involves using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the rollout. A key assurance from the minister is that installing these smart meters will not place an immediate additional burden on consumers. The state government intends to allow an appointed private agency to recover the installation costs gradually. This recovery will happen through the consumers' water bills over an extended period, estimated to be around 10 years.
Multiple Benefits of Smart Meter Technology
The shift promises several operational and financial advantages. Firstly, it will eliminate the need for manual meter readers, saving the associated labor costs. Secondly, it will remove human errors that often occur during manual reading. These errors frequently lead to billing disputes where consumers challenge their bills, resulting in non-payment. Smart meters, with their automated and accurate readings, are expected to resolve this contentious issue completely.
Tackling High Non-Revenue Water
Goa faces a critical challenge with its non-revenue water (NRW)—treated water that is supplied but does not generate income. The current NRW level stands at a high 40%. This is attributed to pipeline leakages and, significantly, faulty meters. Replacing old meters with smart ones is seen as a crucial step to bring this percentage down.
The minister provided stark context for this loss. The state spends Rs 25 to treat each unit of raw water for drinking supply. However, it supplies this water to consumers at a heavily subsidized rate of just Rs 4.10 per unit. Therefore, when revenue is lost from non-revenue water, the state isn't losing Rs 4 per unit; it is effectively losing the full Rs 25 per unit it invested in treatment.
Government Support and Future Vision
To facilitate this transition, the state government is willing to provide initial support. It plans to pay the appointed agency approximately Rs 50 crore. This funding is intended to help overcome some of the upfront investment costs involved in the large-scale installation of smart meters.
Minister Phal Dessai framed this initiative as a foundational step toward a larger goal: achieving 24x7 water supply for all of Goa. Furthermore, the smart meter system will enable the establishment of a real-time water supply monitoring network. This advanced system will even allow consumers to link their smart meters to their smartphones. They will be able to monitor their water consumption in real-time, promoting awareness and conservation.
