In July 2023, The Hindu reported that Puducherry's Public Works Department (PWD) was planning a pilot desalination plant with 1 million litres per day (1,000 m³/day). The reasons were depleting groundwater and rising levels of dissolved solids, nitrate, iron and chloride. The cost was estimated at 25 crore rupees. The plant was to occupy 2.5 acres, require 500 kW and supply drinking water to 175,000 people. Experts from CSMCRI in Bhavnagar were to assess feasibility.
The report showed desalination as a response to overused groundwater: a small pilot was meant to establish whether further plants in the Union Territory would be economically viable.
Source: The Hindu