MAHARASHTRA STATE

WATER
POLICY 2003
CONTENTS OF STATE WATER POLICY 2003
 Need for the Maharashtra State Water Policy (MSWP) –
Water Resources are important to the people of
Maharashtra in many ways – to sustain rural livelihood for
agricultural production on which most rural income depend,
rural & urban water supply, industrial, hydropower generation
for the health and well being of all people, to sustain
environmental values and benefits and for commerce and
industry on which growth in employment to meet the needs of
a growing population will depend. In many of the State’s river
basins and sub-basins, competition for limited water supplies
and conflict among these different uses of water has emerged
and is growing. This growing scarcity of water and the
competition for water services comes at the same time when
the state also needs to find new ways to overcome stagnation
in agricultural production growth, increase productivity,
expand and intensify irrigation & increase income
opportunities in rural areas. These Challenges also come at a
time while the State’s budget resources are limited and
stretched. Hence both the State and all Water users must find
ways to become more efficient & productive.
To face these new challenges & ensure the future welfare
of all IFS people there is need to adopt State Water Policy.
 Objectives of the Maharashtra State Water
Policy (MSWP)
• Integrated Multispectral and River Basin Approach
• State water plan
 Water resources
• Users Participation in Planning and
Development and Management of Water
Resources
• Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems
 • Water for Domestic and Industries use
• Community Management of Drinking Water Supply
and Sanitation
• Participation of the Private Sector
 Water Quality
 Monitoring and Information systems
 Benchmarking of Water Resources Projects
 Water Audit
 Conservation of Water
 Drought Management
 Watershed Development and Management
 Water Resources Planning and Principles there of
 Priority of water usage
• Water use Entitlements
• Transfers of Water Entitlements
• Physical & Financial Sustainability of Water
Resources use and development
• Bulk Water Supply and Water Charges
 Ground Water Development
 Resettlement and Rehabilitation
 Water Zoning
 Flood Control and Management
 Maintenance & infrastructure Functions
 Cost-effectiveness of State Water Services
• Financial & Physical Sustainability
• Investment Priorities and plans
• Safety of Water Resource Infrastructure
• Research, Development & Promotion of
State-of-Act Technology in water sector
• Human Resource Development
 Periodical Review of Policy
 The National Water Policy (NWP) stipulates that state
polices should be drafted / revised in accordance with
it.
 Maharashtra State Water policy which has been in
existence since 2003. Now is being revised by Govt. -of
Maharashtra.
 The Departments involved in revision of the state
water policy include water resources department water
supply & sanitation Department, Environmental
Department & Maharashtra Water Resources
Regulatory Authority (MWRRA).
 FEATURES OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY
 To establish a standard national information system.
 To provide maximum availability by resource planning
& recycling
 To provide guidelines for the safety of storage dams.
 Regulate the exploitation of groundwater.
 To give importance on human settlement and
environment.
 NATIONAL WATER POLICY - 2012
 In June 7, 2012- ministry of water resource published
the draft in water policy 2012

1. Basic Principles of Draft NWP

 The principle of social justice must inform the use and
allocation of water.
 A common integrated perspective should govern the
planning and management of water resources.
 For the conservation, water may be treated as an
economic asset.
 River basin should be considered as the basic
hydrological unit.
 ENHANCING WATER AVAILABLE FOR USE

 Rainfall need to be used directly.

 Aquifer need to be mapped to know quality of ground
resources.
 Inter basin transfers need to be encouraged.
 Watershed development activities need to be
undertaken to increase soil moisture and water
productivity.
 WATER PRICING

 Water regulatory authority should be established in

each state.
 Water charges should be determined in volumetric
manner.
 Recycle and reuse of water should be encouraged.
 MUA should be given powers to collect water charges.
PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTAION

 All clearances required for the project should be made

in time.
 Avoid time and cost over runs.
 Local governing bodies such as Panchayats,
Municipalities etc. should be involved in the planning
of projects.
MANAGEMENT OF FLOOD AND DROUGHT

 Land, soil energy management with scientific research

should be used to evolve different agricultural
strategies.
 Revetments, embankments etc. should be constructed
to prevent soil erosion.
 Operating procedures should be evolved and
implemented.
 TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS

 Efforts should be made to enter international

agreements with neighboring countries for exchanging
hydrological data of rivers.
 RESEARCH AND TRAINING NEEDS

 Grants should be given to states to update technology,

design and planning.
 An autonomous centre for research on water policy
should be established.
 Regular training and academic courses in water
management should be promoted.
 A national campaign for water literacy need to be
started
IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY

 National water board should prepare a plan based on

national water policy as approved by the national
water resources council.

 State water policies need to be drafted in accordance

with this policy.