Residents of Lakshadweep are witnessing a major improvement in their daily lives as desalination plants begin providing clean drinking water across several islands. During a recent visit to the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant in Kavaratti, Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh interacted with local residents who shared how the new facilities have eased long-standing water shortages in the region.
For decades, many households depended on small wells near their homes, but the water was often salty due to the islands’ close proximity to the sea. Abdul Rehman, a resident of Kavaratti, told the Minister that life has changed significantly since desalinated water became available. “Earlier we used to drink salty well water, but now everyone in our area is using clean desalinated water for drinking,” he said.
Desalination Plants Bring Relief to Island Communities
Lakshadweep has historically faced serious challenges in accessing fresh drinking water because of limited groundwater reserves and frequent salinity intrusion. During the interaction, several residents explained that collecting water used to be a daily struggle.
Valiya B, another local resident, recalled that families earlier had to carry water from wells multiple times a day. “Fetching water from the well and bringing it home used to be part of our daily routine. Now clean water is available directly at our doorstep,” he said.
Officials accompanying the Minister explained that the LTTD technology converts seawater into potable water by using the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and colder deep-sea water. The plants have been installed across multiple islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago to ensure a steady and sustainable source of drinking water for local communities.
Government Expands Technology to Ensure Water Security
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the desalination initiative, which began in Kavaratti, has gradually expanded to other islands in the region. He also reviewed progress on the upcoming Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) project, which is expected to generate clean electricity while producing fresh water simultaneously.
The Minister noted that such technologies are particularly suitable for island territories where freshwater resources are limited but seawater is abundant. He added that these projects could also reduce dependence on diesel-based water supply systems, which often face logistical disruptions during the monsoon season.
Officials say the desalination facilities are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring reliable and sustainable access to potable water for Lakshadweep’s residents in the coming years, marking a significant step toward improving water security in the island territory.