JODHPUR’S WATER CRISIS: AN URGENT ACTION PLAN FOR SUMMER 2027

28 October 2026

A comprehensive policy proposal for the Government of Rajasthan to
ensure reliable water supply through emergency measures

By CA Anil K. Jain
Chartered Accountant | Macro-Economist | Policy Researcher | Author
President – Ahimsa Foundation India

Executive Summary for Policymakers

Jodhpur Water Security Mission: Emergency Preparedness for summer 2027
and a Sustainable Long-Term Strategy

The policy challenge: Jodhpur and the wider western Rajasthan region face increasing water-security risks due to deficient and variable rainfall, dependence on transferred water supplies, constraints on local water resources and growing demand. Municipal supply that reaches households only once every two or three days, for approximately three to four hours, indicates the need for urgent assessment and preparedness. The Government of Rajasthan should act before summer 2027 to prevent a further deterioration in essential water availability.

The recommended response: Establish a time-bound Jodhpur Water Security Mission integrating emergency supply management, infrastructure efficiency, treated sewage-water reuse, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and long-term regional water planning.

Six Priority Policy Interventions

Immediate emergency preparedness

Direct the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), the District Collector and municipal authorities to prepare a verified water balance, assess usable reservoir storage, inspect critical infrastructure and establish emergency tanker arrangements. Protect essential household supplies, hospitals, educational institutions and vulnerable communities.

Reduce water losses and improve distribution

Launch a time-bound programme to repair leaking pipelines, improve pumping and treatment efficiency, monitor distribution losses and ensure equitable supply across municipal zones. Water saved through operational improvements can help bridge shortages without waiting for major new projects.

Make treated sewage-water reuse a central priority

Audit sewage generation, collection and treatment capacity, and expand the productive reuse of properly treated wastewater. Supply recycled water to suitable industrial users, parks, landscaping, construction and municipal services, supported by separate distribution networks wherever feasible.

For illustration, reusing an additional 50 million litres per day of treated wastewater for appropriate non-potable purposes could displace an equivalent volume of freshwater demand, provided that users actually substitute recycled water for freshwater. The city’s achievable potential must be established through a technical audit.

Capture rainfall and replenish suitable groundwater

Restore traditional water bodies, improve rooftop rainwater harvesting and identify suitable sites for check dams, recharge basins and scientifically designed recharge wells. Pilot projects should proceed only after hydrogeological assessment and safeguards against groundwater contamination. Recharge can conserve available water but cannot substitute for water that is not received.

Diversify and strengthen dependable water supplies

Improve the reliability of the Rajiv Gandhi Lift Canal system and associated infrastructure, assess storage and transmission requirements, promote sustainable groundwater management and accelerate viable regional water projects. Recycled water should increasingly serve suitable non-potable requirements, preserving freshwater for essential needs.

Establish transparent accountability

Create a public water-security dashboard reporting reservoir storage, daily municipal supply, distribution losses, tanker deliveries, sewage treatment and reuse, project progress and complaints. Assign each intervention a responsible officer, funding provision, deadline and measurable performance indicator.

Proposed Implementation Milestones

Deadline	Principal deliverable
31 December 2026	Verified city water balance, emergency assessment and sewage-reuse audit
31 January 2027	Priority repairs, emergency distribution arrangements and identified recycled-water users
31 March 2027	Operational summer contingency plan and completion of priority maintenance
April–June 2027	Daily monitoring, emergency response and equitable distribution of essential supplies
By December 2027	Funded multi-year programme for wastewater reuse, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and infrastructure improvements

These are proposed policy deadlines and should be converted into formally approved departmental targets with appropriate budgets.

Expected Policy Outcomes

The proposed programme aims to:

Reduce the risk of severe drinking-water shortages during summer 2027.
Improve the reliability and equity of municipal water distribution.
Reduce avoidable water losses and operating inefficiencies.
Substitute treated wastewater for freshwater in suitable non-potable applications.
Improve capture and storage of available rainfall.
Strengthen groundwater management and diversify water resources.
Establish transparent monitoring and administrative accountability.

Decision Requested from the Government

The Government of Rajasthan is requested to approve an integrated Jodhpur Water Security Mission, nominate a senior officer to coordinate implementation, direct the relevant departments to submit a time-bound action plan and provide the necessary financial and administrative support.

The central policy recommendation is to move from reactive water-shortage management to planned, diversified and accountable water security. Emergency measures must protect households before summer 2027, while treated sewage-water reuse, leakage reduction, rainwater harvesting and scientifically justified groundwater recharge should become permanent components of Jodhpur’s water-management strategy.

The success of the mission should ultimately be measured by the reliability of water reaching households, the quantity of freshwater demand displaced by recycled water, the reduction in distribution losses and the city’s improved resilience to future droughts.

—————————

Introduction: A City Facing an Increasingly Serious Water Challenge

The western Rajasthan region of India, particularly Jodhpur, is facing a serious water-supply challenge following insufficient rainfall during the 2026 monsoon season. The situation is particularly concerning for urban households that depend on municipal water supplies, which, according to local experience, are sometimes available only once every two days and sometimes once every three days, with supply lasting approximately three to four hours.

Such an intermittent supply places considerable pressure on households, particularly elderly people, families with children, tenants, economically weaker sections and residents who lack adequate storage facilities. It also creates difficulties for hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, businesses and other establishments that require a dependable water supply.

The concern is that the situation could deteriorate further during the peak summer months of April, May and June 2027 if reservoir storage remains inadequate, canal supplies are interrupted, groundwater resources decline or temperatures increase demand.

Jodhpur’s water challenge cannot be resolved by waiting for the next monsoon. Nor can it be addressed through emergency tankers alone. The city needs an integrated strategy that combines immediate crisis management with medium-term infrastructure improvements and long-term water-resource conservation.

The Government of Rajasthan should treat Jodhpur’s water security as a priority public-service and development issue, requiring urgent action before summer 2027 and sustained investment over the coming years.

The objective must be to ensure that inadequate rainfall in one season does not translate into a severe drinking-water emergency for the city’s population.

Assessing the Present Situation

Jodhpur’s water security is influenced by several interrelated factors:

Low and highly variable rainfall in western Rajasthan.
Dependence on water transferred from distant sources, including the Rajiv Gandhi Lift Canal system.
The availability and condition of reservoirs, pumping stations, treatment plants and transmission pipelines.
Water losses through leaking pipelines and inefficient distribution.
Increasing residential, commercial and industrial demand.
Limitations on groundwater availability and the quality of local groundwater.
Inadequate collection, treatment and productive reuse of sewage water.
Insufficient capture and storage of stormwater during periods of rainfall.

Reports published in October 2026 highlighted deficient monsoon rainfall, low storage in monitored regional dams and concerns about the gap between Jodhpur’s water supply and estimated demand. These indicators warrant immediate examination by the responsible authorities. Regional dam-storage figures, however, should not be confused with the actual usable storage available to the city’s municipal water system.

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the Water Resources Department should therefore publish a verified assessment covering the following:

The actual volume of water available from each source.
Usable storage in the reservoirs serving Jodhpur.
Daily water transfers through the canal system.
Water treated and delivered to the municipal network.
Estimated distribution losses.
Current demand and the expected increase during summer.
Sewage-treatment capacity and the volume of wastewater that can be safely reused.
The projected duration for which available resources can support essential needs under different rainfall and supply scenarios.

Without such a reliable water balance, the government cannot accurately assess the scale of the shortage or allocate resources efficiently.

Immediate Emergency Measures: November 2026 to January 2027

The first priority should be to protect households against a further deterioration in supply.

3.1 Prepare a citywide emergency water balance : PHED should prepare a daily statement of water availability, consumption, treatment, storage and distribution. The statement should identify vulnerable supply zones and areas where households receive water less frequently or in inadequate quantities. A central monitoring system should integrate information from reservoirs, pumping stations, treatment plants and distribution networks. This would allow officials to identify shortages early and redirect available supplies before a crisis develops.

3.2 Establish an emergency water-distribution network: The administration should identify neighbourhoods most vulnerable to shortages and prepare a contingency plan for tanker deliveries and temporary community storage tanks. Hospitals, schools, old-age homes, densely populated settlements and economically weaker communities should receive particular attention. Tanker routes, delivery schedules, quantities, charges and complaint procedures should be publicly disclosed. Water supplied for drinking must meet applicable quality standards, and emergency support should be available to households unable to afford private tanker deliveries. The objective should be to ensure equitable access to essential water rather than leaving residents dependent on private arrangements.

3.3 Launch a comprehensive pipeline-leakage reduction programme : Water lost through leaking pipelines is water that has already been collected, transferred, treated and often pumped using substantial public expenditure. The government should undertake an intensive inspection of major transmission mains and distribution networks. Visible leaks should be repaired immediately, while pressure testing, flow monitoring and district-level water accounting should be used to identify less obvious losses. Unusually high flows, illegal connections and recurring pipeline failures should be investigated. The authorities should establish measurable targets for reducing distribution losses and report the actual quantity of water saved. Leakage reduction is especially important because it can improve the effective supply without waiting for the construction of new reservoirs or major water-transfer projects.

3.4 Secure the reliability of canal supplies and pumping infrastructure: Jodhpur depends substantially on water transferred through the Rajiv Gandhi Lift Canal and associated systems. The government should coordinate with the relevant canal authorities to confirm delivery schedules, water allocations and contingency arrangements. Pumps, electrical systems, pipelines and treatment plants should be inspected and maintained before peak summer. Emergency arrangements should be prepared for mechanical breakdowns, power interruptions, canal closures and other events that could interrupt supplies. The city should also have a clearly defined protocol for prioritising essential services during any temporary interruption.

3.5 Establish a protected reserve for essential needs : The administration should adopt a reserve policy based on verified usable storage, daily consumption, expected inflows and the risk of further supply interruptions. Water planning should prioritise drinking, cooking, essential sanitation and critical public services. The policy should also protect minimum household requirements while avoiding wasteful use of scarce potable water for purposes that can be served by recycled water. The amount of water that can safely be reserved must be calculated from actual operating data rather than announced without supporting evidence.

A Time-Bound Action Plan for Summer 2027 :

The government should prepare for the possibility that the summer of 2027 will bring high temperatures and continued pressure on water resources. The following deadlines are proposed policy targets, not statements of existing government commitments.

November–December 2026

Complete a verified assessment of water sources and usable storage.
Identify critical pipeline, pumping and treatment-plant failures.
Prepare a list of vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Assess emergency tanker capacity and identify suitable distribution points.
Audit existing sewage-treatment plants and wastewater-reuse opportunities.

December 2026–January 2027

Repair priority leaks and service essential pumping equipment.
Finalise emergency water-distribution arrangements.
Secure contingency supplies and power arrangements.
Identify major industrial and institutional users who could substitute treated wastewater for freshwater.
Begin restoration of suitable existing rainwater-harvesting systems.

February–March 2027

Publish the summer water-allocation plan.
Complete priority maintenance and test emergency procedures.
Establish daily monitoring of reservoir levels and incoming water.
Operationalise the emergency tanker network.
Complete feasibility assessments for additional wastewater reuse and groundwater recharge.

April–June 2027

Monitor supply, storage and water quality daily.
Publish weekly public reports on availability and shortages.
Deploy emergency supplies to underserved areas.
Enforce conservation measures and reduce avoidable losses.
Review the situation continuously and adjust distribution according to verified need.

This programme should be supported by a dedicated budget, identified responsible officers and clear reporting requirements.

Treated Sewage Water:

A Major Opportunity to Reduce the Crisis: One of the most important and potentially effective measures for addressing Jodhpur’s recurring water crisis is the large-scale reuse of sewage water after proper treatment. At a time when the city is struggling to provide adequate water to its residents, wastewater should not be regarded merely as a disposal problem. Properly collected, treated and reused sewage can become a valuable supplementary water resource.

Water used by households, hotels, hospitals, commercial establishments and industries ultimately generates wastewater. Although not all sewage can be recovered, and the amount available depends on the efficiency of the sewerage network and treatment facilities, a substantial proportion may be suitable for productive reuse. Unlike rainwater harvesting, which depends on rainfall, sewage is generated throughout the year wherever water is consumed and the resulting wastewater is collected. The government should therefore make treated wastewater reuse a central pillar of Jodhpur’s water-security strategy.

5.1 Expand and improve sewage-treatment facilities : The government should conduct a comprehensive audit of sewage generation, collection networks, treatment capacity and actual plant performance. The audit should establish:

The total volume of sewage generated daily.
The proportion collected through the sewerage network.
The capacity and actual output of each sewage-treatment plant.
The quantity of wastewater treated to the required standard.
The volume currently reused and the quantity discharged without productive use.
The additional investment required to improve collection, treatment and reuse.

Existing plants that are not operating efficiently should be repaired or upgraded. Additional treatment capacity should be developed wherever the verified assessment demonstrates a need.The objective should be to ensure that a progressively greater proportion of collected sewage is properly treated and put to appropriate use.

5.2 Supply treated wastewater to industries : Industries often require significant quantities of water for cooling, cleaning, processing and other non-potable applications. Where technical requirements permit, properly treated wastewater can replace freshwater for these purposes.The government should identify industrial users within an economically viable distance of sewage-treatment plants and establish arrangements for supplying recycled water.Industrial users should be encouraged—and, where legally authorised and technically appropriate, required—to substitute treated wastewater for freshwater. Long-term supply agreements and suitable pricing arrangements could help make recycled water commercially viable while reducing pressure on municipal drinking-water resources.

5.3 Use recycled water for parks, gardens and municipal services : Freshwater should not routinely be used for purposes that can safely be served by appropriately treated wastewater.Subject to applicable quality standards, recycled water could be used for:

Public parks and gardens.
Roadside plantations and selected landscaping.
Construction and dust suppression.
Municipal cleaning.
Certain industrial operations.
Other approved non-potable applications.

Separate distribution pipelines should be developed wherever feasible to transport treated wastewater to large users. Such infrastructure would allow the city to supply non-potable water without placing additional pressure on the drinking-water network.

5.4 Establish measurable wastewater-reuse targets : The government should create a dedicated Jodhpur Treated Wastewater Reuse Mission. The mission should set progressive targets for the proportion of collected sewage that is properly treated and the proportion of treated water actually reused. Monthly public reporting should disclose treatment-plant performance, wastewater quality, volumes supplied to users and progress towards the targets. The programme should be evaluated according to the quantity of freshwater demand displaced, rather than merely the number of sewage-treatment plants constructed.

5.5 Illustrative calculation: The potential benefit : Consider a purely illustrative example in which Jodhpur successfully collects, treats and reuses an additional 50 million litres of wastewater per day for suitable non-potable purposes. This would substitute for 50 million litres per day, equivalent to 50 MLD, of freshwater demand, provided that users actually replace their previous freshwater consumption with recycled water. The example is not a forecast of Jodhpur’s available sewage or existing treatment capacity. The actual achievable volume must be established through a technical audit. Nevertheless, it illustrates why wastewater reuse deserves serious attention. Reducing industrial and municipal demand for freshwater could allow a greater proportion of available freshwater to be reserved for drinking, cooking, bathing and other essential household needs. Recycling does not create new water. Its principal benefit is that it allows the same water resource to serve suitable purposes more than once, reducing demand for fresh supplies.

5.6 Protect public health and groundwater: Wastewater reuse must follow strict treatment, quality-control and monitoring requirements. The treatment standard must be appropriate for the intended use. Untreated or inadequately treated sewage must never be used for drinking or allowed to contaminate groundwater, reservoirs or natural water bodies. Reuse for drinking-water purposes, if ever considered, would require advanced treatment, rigorous verification and all applicable regulatory approvals. Groundwater recharge using treated wastewater should be considered only where specifically permitted and supported by hydrogeological studies, appropriate treatment and safeguards against aquifer contamination. The policy principle should be simple: every litre of sewage that can be safely treated and reused for an appropriate purpose is a litre of freshwater that may be preserved for more essential needs.

Rainwater Harvesting: Capture More of the Water That Nature Provides:

While wastewater reuse offers an opportunity to reduce demand on freshwater supplies, Jodhpur must also make better use of rainfall whenever it occurs. The city and surrounding region should adopt a comprehensive rainwater-harvesting programme combining modern engineering with Rajasthan’s traditional water-conservation practices.

6.1 Restore traditional water bodies : Jodhpur has a longstanding heritage of water storage and conservation. Suitable traditional reservoirs, ponds, stepwells, tanks and associated drainage channels should be surveyed, restored and maintained. The government should remove accumulated silt where technically appropriate, repair damaged structures, protect catchment areas and prevent encroachment. Sewage and industrial effluents must be prevented from entering these water bodies. Their potential role in water storage, stormwater management and groundwater recharge should be assessed individually.

6.2 Make rooftop rainwater harvesting effective: Government buildings, schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels, apartment complexes, commercial establishments and large private properties should be surveyed to identify opportunities for rooftop rainwater harvesting. Existing systems should be repaired where necessary. New systems should be installed where technically suitable and in accordance with applicable requirements. Collected water may be stored for suitable uses or directed into properly designed recharge structures. The government should not measure success merely by counting installed systems. It should verify that they are operational, maintained and capable of capturing runoff.

6.3 Develop storm water storage and recharge structures: Suitable locations in and around Jodhpur should be identified for check dams, percolation structures, recharge basins and storm water-retention ponds. Natural drainage channels should be protected from encroachment and obstruction. Each project should be evaluated for its expected water-capture potential, recharge benefits, construction cost, maintenance requirements and environmental effects. Such interventions can improve local water retention and groundwater recharge, but their effectiveness depends on actual rainfall, catchment characteristics and local geology.

River Water Recharge Wells: A Scientific Approach to Groundwater Replenishment

Jodhpur and the wider western Rajasthan region should explore a carefully designed programme of river-water and storm water recharge wells, particularly along suitable seasonal drainage channels and runoff corridors. The principle is to capture available runoff and direct it into suitable geological formations so that a portion of the water can replenish groundwater rather than being lost from the local water system. However, recharge wells cannot create water where none is available. They are a means of storing and transferring suitable water into underground formations, not a substitute for dependable rainfall or bulk water supplies. Before constructing recharge wells, the government should commission detailed technical studies to establish:

The volume of runoff that can realistically be captured.
The geological formations and aquifers suitable for recharge.
The expected recharge rate and likely benefits.
The number, depth, capacity and location of wells required.
The risk of groundwater contamination or mobilisation of naturally occurring pollutants.
Construction, maintenance and monitoring costs.
The likely improvement in groundwater levels and the potential for subsequent use.

Pilot projects should be undertaken at scientifically validated locations, followed by independent assessment before wider expansion. Untreated sewage, industrial effluent and contaminated storm water must never be injected into groundwater. Recharge structures must be designed to protect aquifer quality and comply with applicable environmental and groundwater regulations. If successful, such a programme could complement existing canal supplies, rainwater harvesting and traditional water bodies as part of a broader regional water-security strategy.

Reduce Dependence on a Single Water Source

Jodhpur should develop a diversified water-supply portfolio so that failure or disruption in one source does not create a severe emergency.

8.1 Strengthen the Rajiv Gandhi Lift Canal system: The government should maintain reliable transfers, improve pumping efficiency and inspect critical transmission infrastructure. Contingency plans should cover interruptions in canal operations, power failures, mechanical breakdowns and other disruptions.

8.2 Improve reservoir and storage management: Reservoirs and associated storage facilities should be managed using reliable measurements of usable capacity, inflows, losses and demand. The government should assess whether existing infrastructure can be improved and whether additional storage is justified.

8.3 Manage groundwater sustainably: Groundwater can provide supplementary supplies, but extraction should be based on scientific assessment of aquifer availability, water quality and sustainable withdrawal limits. Uncontrolled extraction can worsen depletion and may expose users to salinity, fluoride or other water-quality problems.

8.4 Expand treated wastewater reuse: Recycled wastewater should be integrated into municipal and industrial water planning, particularly for suitable non-potable uses. This can reduce competition between essential household requirements and activities that do not require drinking-quality water.

8.5 Improve regional storage and transfer infrastructure: The government should publish a project-wise assessment of major water-supply schemes serving western Rajasthan, including canal extensions, additional storage facilities, transmission pipelines, pumping stations and treatment plants. For each project, the report should identify the approved cost, expenditure to date, physical progress, revised completion date and expected additional water available to Jodhpur. The administration should distinguish between water infrastructure that has been announced, projects under construction and projects that are actually delivering water. The success of a water project should be measured by the additional dependable supply reaching the municipal system, not merely by the announcement or construction expenditure.

Establish a Jodhpur Water Security Mission: The Government of Rajasthan should consider establishing a dedicated, time-bound Jodhpur Water Security Mission under the leadership of a senior state-level officer. The District Collector should coordinate local implementation with PHED, the Water Resources Department, the Ground Water Department, municipal authorities, technical experts and community representatives. The mission should have clearly defined responsibilities for emergency management, infrastructure improvements, wastewater reuse, rainwater harvesting and long-term water planning.

9.1 Public water-security dashboard: A publicly accessible dashboard should report,

Daily water production and municipal supply.
Reservoir levels and usable storage.
Water transfers through major supply systems.
Supply intervals across municipal zones.
Leakage repairs and estimated water saved.
Tanker deliveries and quantities distributed.
Sewage-treatment capacity and actual performance.
Volumes of treated wastewater reused.
Rainwater-harvesting and recharge projects completed.
Progress on major water infrastructure schemes.
Complaints received and the time taken to resolve them.

Public reporting would help residents understand the actual situation and allow the administration to identify underperforming areas.

9.2 Accountability and independent review: The mission should publish a monthly performance report during the emergency preparation period and increase reporting frequency when conditions deteriorate. Major projects should be subject to technical scrutiny, financial oversight and independent verification of claimed results. The Rajasthan High Court’s May 2026 proceedings concerning Jodhpur’s water crisis reportedly raised issues relating to reservoir storage, traditional water bodies, groundwater extraction, rainwater harvesting and the need for a comprehensive plan. The administration should ensure that the relevant proceedings and government initiatives translate into measurable improvements in water security.

Proposed Performance Targets and Deadlines

The following are recommended management targets for consideration by the government.

By 31 December 2026

Publish a verified water balance for Jodhpur.
Assess usable reservoir storage and expected inflows.
Identify critical infrastructure failures.
Complete an initial audit of sewage-treatment facilities.
Prepare the emergency distribution plan.

By 31 January 2027

Complete priority pipeline and pumping-system repairs.
Secure emergency tanker capacity.
Identify major users of potential recycled-water supplies.
Finalise the list of priority rainwater-harvesting and recharge projects.

By 31 March 2027

Make emergency distribution arrangements operational.
Publish the summer water-allocation plan.
Complete priority infrastructure maintenance.
Establish public reporting of daily water availability.
Initiate feasible wastewater-reuse projects that can be implemented within the available timeframe.

During April–June 2027

Monitor supply and reservoir conditions daily.
Provide emergency supplies to underserved areas.
Report shortages and remedial measures.
Enforce water conservation and reduce avoidable losses.
Review water allocation and contingency arrangements regularly.

By the end of 2027

Publish a funded multi-year water-security plan.
Establish measurable targets for wastewater reuse.
Expand effective rainwater harvesting.
Restore suitable traditional water bodies.
Complete scientifically validated groundwater-recharge pilots.
Publish a project-wise status report on major water infrastructure.

These deadlines should be accompanied by specific budgets, responsible officers and independently verifiable indicators.

Role of Citizens, Housing Societies and Institutions

Government action is indispensable, but citizens and institutions can help reduce waste and improve local preparedness. Residential buildings should repair leaking taps, flush systems and storage tanks. Housing societies should monitor consumption, maintain internal pipelines and consider rooftop rainwater harvesting. Commercial establishments and institutions should undertake water audits and substitute recycled water for freshwater wherever technically appropriate. Community organisations can help report pipeline leaks, unsafe water, irregular tanker distribution and local shortages. Residents should also ensure that private bore well water is tested before drinking. Water that appears clear is not necessarily safe. Public participation should complement, rather than replace, the government’s responsibility to provide adequate and equitable municipal water services.

Financial and Administrative Priorities

The government should prioritise projects according to urgency, measurable benefits, implementation time and long-term cost-effectiveness. Immediate expenditure should focus on critical repairs, emergency distribution, reliable pumping and treatment operations, and the protection of essential supplies. Medium-term investments should improve distribution efficiency, sewage collection and treatment, recycled-water pipelines, storage and rainwater harvesting. Long-term investments should support regional infrastructure, sustainable groundwater management and technically justified recharge systems. Project selection should consider the lifecycle cost of water delivered or freshwater demand displaced, including energy, treatment, maintenance and distribution costs. The government should also assess opportunities for central assistance, state funding, municipal investment and appropriate public-private partnerships, while maintaining public oversight and water-quality safeguards.

Conclusion: Move from Repeated Water Shortages to Permanent Water Security

Jodhpur’s water crisis requires immediate intervention and a fundamental improvement in the way water resources are managed. The city cannot depend exclusively on canal transfers, reservoirs, groundwater extraction or the uncertain arrival of a good monsoon. It needs a diversified and resilient water system capable of managing rainfall fluctuations, rising demand and infrastructure disruptions. The immediate priorities are to establish the true water balance, repair avoidable losses, protect essential household supplies and prepare emergency arrangements before summer 2027. The longer-term programme must combine reliable regional water transfers, efficient distribution, and restoration of traditional water bodies, rooftop rainwater harvesting, scientifically designed groundwater recharge and sustainable management of local resources.

Above all, the recycling and reuse of properly treated sewage water should receive strategic priority. It is not merely a sanitation measure. It is an important instrument of water conservation, demand management and long-term water security. Every litre of treated wastewater safely reused for an appropriate purpose can help reduce the demand placed on scarce freshwater supplies. Combined with leakage reduction and effective rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse could make a meaningful contribution to Jodhpur’s resilience against future droughts. The government should therefore establish a dedicated programme for treated wastewater reuse, with clear targets, adequate investment, appropriate quality standards and transparent reporting.

The ultimate objective should be to ensure that an inadequate monsoon or temporary canal disruption does not push Jodhpur into a severe drinking-water emergency. Jodhpur needs a comprehensive water-security mission that acts immediately, invests scientifically and remains accountable for results. The time to prepare for summer 2027 is now—not when the reservoirs have fallen further and households are already facing an acute shortage.

Selected References