The Kerala government has released the draft State Water Policy as part of its efforts to manage water consumption. The draft, which has been circulated among different departments, warns that the long-held belief that the State is water-abundant is increasingly inaccurate. Although Kerala receives significant rainfall in two seasonal spells, its hilly terrain causes rapid runoff into the sea, leaving many regions exposed to water stress during summer.

The draft also notes that key drinking water sources—open wells, rivers, ponds, tanks, lakes and shallow aquifers—are increasingly threatened by bacteriological and chemical contamination. Safeguarding these sources, it says, must be prioritised, especially as climate shifts and unregulated land use worsen the pressure on freshwater systems.

Smarter water pricing
One of the major reforms proposed is a shift to a more scientific water-pricing system. Current tariffs, applied uniformly across the State, ignore regional variations in availability and consumption. The policy argues that pricing should reflect the true cost of supplying safe water—including operational, capital and environmental components—and also promote responsible use.

Models such as volumetric, seasonal and tiered pricing are being considered. Pricing may also be linked to overuse, particularly of treated water, to encourage conservation and ensure fairness.

Groundwater extraction and quality
Unlike most Indian states, Kerala draws more groundwater for domestic use than for agriculture or industry. Rising dependence on wells and borewells, along with unscientific drilling, has accelerated both depletion and quality deterioration, the draft notes.

To address this, the policy proposes regulating pumping based on scientific yield tests, ensuring quality certification for all potable wells, banning the disposal of waste into unused wells and enforcing legal controls on indiscriminate extraction. A State-wide effort to clean and recharge wells is also recommended.

Supply–demand balance
Kerala’s demand for water continues to rise even as supply fluctuates across seasons. To close this gap, the draft calls for long-term planning across micro watersheds, sub-basins and river basins. Local Self-Government Institutions and communities are expected to take the lead in managing and sustaining water sources. A State-level master plan compiling the status and action plans for all hydrological units will guide future development and ensure equitable access.

To limit the consumption of treated water, the policy suggests exploring the use of two separate storage tanks in households—one for drinking and cooking, and another for non-potable domestic needs. Institutions with high water demand, such as hotels, hostels, flats and hospitals, are encouraged to adopt modern reuse technologies.

Artificial recharge tailored to local topography is also recommended. The draft further proposes a dedicated State policy for the Safe Reuse of Treated Water to reduce pressure on freshwater resources and support a more sustainable circular water economy.

Gender-sensitive water governance
The draft recognises the critical role women play in ensuring household water security and calls for their greater participation in water user groups, planning bodies and project management. Ensuring safe access to water, sanitation and hygiene is highlighted as a core concern. The policy also proposes involving organisations like Kudumbashree to strengthen community-level water governance.