Wed Mar 19 11:54:00 UTC 2025: ## Puducherry to Distribute Free Water Cans Amidst Drinking Water Crisis

**Puducherry, March 19, 2025** – The Puducherry government announced a new scheme to address a deteriorating drinking water situation in parts of the Union Territory. Starting April 14th, households in affected areas will receive free 20-liter water cans due to increasing salinity in groundwater sources.

Public Works Minister K. Lakshminarayanan stated that over-extraction of groundwater, fueled by population growth, has led to high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels in many borewells. Currently, water with high TDS is being blended with water from borewells with acceptable TDS levels before distribution.

To tackle the problem long-term, the government plans to establish seven brackish water desalination plants, each with a capacity of 1 million liters per day (MLD). These plants, costing ₹31 crore and funded by NABARD, will prioritize urban areas. The first plant, located on the Swadeshi Mill campus, will have a capacity of 10 lakh liters daily. The initiative aims to provide safe and reliable drinking water to residents.

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