The Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has attained 100 per cent household water supply coverage across all 29 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under its jurisdiction — a landmark achievement reviewed at a high‑level meeting chaired by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra. As of March 2026, WATCO manages an extensive urban water supply network serving more than 4.91 million people through over 7.63 lakh household water connections.
The flagship “Drink from Tap” (DFT) initiative currently provides round‑the‑clock potable water supply in 11 ULBs, with expansion underway to 17 more urban areas and Konark. WATCO’s present water supply capacity has reached 988.89 MLD, comfortably surpassing the existing urban demand of 700.67 MLD, ensuring long‑term water security for Odisha’s urban population. During the 2025–26 financial year, WATCO recorded 100 per cent utilisation of its ₹912 crore budget allocated for water supply and sewerage infrastructure. In addition, over ₹500 crore was spent through AMRUT, OMBADC and other deposit funds.
For 2026–27, an ambitious ₹920 crore expenditure plan has been prepared, with ₹250 crore dedicated to sewerage capital assets. WATCO commissioned three new Water Treatment Plants and completed 58 Elevated Service Reservoirs, and is currently executing major projects worth approximately ₹2,658.47 crore, including the near‑completion of the 130 MLD Water Treatment Plant for Bhubaneswar. Technology‑driven reforms include the installation of 50,000 smart water metres in five pilot cities — Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Rourkela, and Berhampur. Upcoming projects valued at over ₹6,129 crore include a ₹1,682 crore sewerage project for Sambalpur and an ₹830.97 crore sewerage system for Baripada. WATCO operates 14 third‑party water testing laboratories under PPP mode and has signed an MoU with IIT Bhubaneswar for advanced water quality monitoring