Kerala’s Water Resources Department to draw up short and long-term development plans covering five years

Kerala’s Water Resources Department is drawing up short and long-term action plans for improving its operational efficiency over the next five years.

With this aim in mind, the State government is planning to organise a conclave in Thiruvananthapuram in mid-August where schemes and proposals for the plans would be discussed. Broadly, the short-term action plan would be for a one-year period, while the long-term one would cover five years.

The aims include the introduction of timely changes in operational matters, overcoming limitations and flaws and the roll-out of technological innovations, according to the Water Resources Department.

Considered a water-abundant State, Kerala, nevertheless, faces unique challenges related to water supply and access, sanitation and groundwater contamination. “Wells continue to serve as a primary source of water for a significant portion of the population in Kerala. Concerns regarding water quality, particularly microbiological contamination, have emerged as critical issues requiring urgent attention,” the Kerala Development Report 2026 of the State Planning Board, published in March 2026, had noted. The report further observed that, “Groundwater contamination can be caused by poorly designed and maintained septic tanks, along with inadequate sewage and septage management, emphasising the need for improved sanitation infrastructure and groundwater protection to ensure safe drinking water.”

Under its Vision 2031 roadmap, the new Congress-ledd UDF government in Kerala has announced plans for special missions and a commission for tackling issues related to integrated water management and protection of wetlands and rivers. Proposals include a Kerala River Basin and Water Systems Mission, a Wetland Mission, and a Water Commission with the involvement of multiple departments. The Revised Budget for 2026-27, presented by the UDF government, has earmarked ₹895.59 crore for water supply and sanitation.

The Kerala Development Report had also emphasised the need to combine supply-side augmentation, integrated water management and demand-side efficiency with tech-innovative and participatory practices.