Water in Dholera: Desalination, Capacity and Constraints
Water is the quiet constraint behind Dholera's biggest ambitions, especially data centres. Here is the honest picture, with no unlimited-water claims.
Desalination today and planned
Water is a real constraint, handled honestly. Current desalination is about 20 MLD, sized for the Activation Area. REPORTED DICDL floated a tender on 9 July 2026 to appoint consultants for a 200 MLD seawater desalination plant, which is at consultant stage, not built. REPORTED The final SIR-wide water requirement is officially still stated as unknown, so we do not claim abundant water.
Water for residents
The Activation Area plan provides about 100 MLD potable water available with a 50 MLD treatment plant, a 10 ML reservoir and 82 km of pipeline. REPORTED Beyond that zone, the SIR-wide water requirement is officially stated as still unknown, and current desalination is only about 20 MLD with a 200 MLD plant at consultant stage. REPORTED So near-term water is planned for the built zone; long-range supply is not yet settled.
The Activation Area network
Per the sanctioned plan profile (under construction): Power 3 x 66 kV substations, 400/220 kV transmission (70 km + 30 km), 115 km underground power duct. Potable water 100 MLD available, 50 MLD treatment plant, 10 ML reservoir, 82 km pipeline, non-revenue water under 5%. REPORTED
Recycled water 10 MLD STP, 20 MLD CETP, 81 km recycled pipeline. Solid waste 25 TPD segregation, 30 TPD bio-methanation, two 25 TPD incinerators and a 28-ha integrated landfill. REPORTED These are sanctioned-plan figures, base around 2016.
FAQ
Does Dholera have enough water for data centres?
Water is a real constraint, handled honestly. Current desalination is about 20 MLD, sized for the Activation Area. REPORTED DICDL floated a tender on 9 July 2026 to appoint consultants for a 200 MLD seawater desalination plant, which is at consultant stage, not built. REPORTED The final SIR-wide water requirement is officially still stated as unknown, so we do not claim abundant water.
Will there be enough water for people living in Dholera?
The Activation Area plan provides about 100 MLD potable water available with a 50 MLD treatment plant, a 10 ML reservoir and 82 km of pipeline. REPORTED Beyond that zone, the SIR-wide water requirement is officially stated as still unknown, and current desalination is only about 20 MLD with a 200 MLD plant at consultant stage. REPORTED So near-term water is planned for the built zone; long-range supply is not yet settled.