How many Goans would be suspicious of the water they drink? It is only when one sees a rusted pipeline, like the ones unearthed in a housing area in Margao, that alarm bells start ringing. Goa’s water scenario may be relatively better in comparison to other states, but there are grey areas and then there are ‘rusty’ areas. A section of people continue to struggle for their daily water, and this is nothing new. The fact that people may be unknowingly drinking contaminated water which flows through corroded and rusty pipes is reason to worry.
Galvanised Iron Pipes and Fittings were commonly used since times immemorial and water was channelized to houses through these pipes. Those were the days when PVC pipes were unheard of. The life of these GI pipes is short since there is corrosion and formation of rust and if not replaced in time can have disastrous consequences on the health of the end consumer. This is a cause for concern since most of the Goans consume the water supplied to their homes directly without a secondary filtration process.
Cut to the present and the GI pipes have been a thing of the past. Presently, polybutylene, unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) and polyethylene (PE) pipes have been in use for water supply. The fear of corrosion is nullified and contamination is eliminated.
The GI pipes, some of which date back to 1961 have been rusting in pieces since then. Also, the porous nature of these age-old rusted pipes has left them vulnerable to frequent breakages and water wastages. With a manpower constraint, the PWD is struggling to speedily plug these leakages resulting in colossal loses on virtually a daily basis. Picture this against the backdrop of areas that continue to remain parched for water.
The 2-year MoU signed in September last year between the Portuguese Environment Ministry and Goa Public Works Department provides hope. Goa and Portugal have signed on the dotted line to work in tandem to develop common initiatives for water supply. The MoU looks good on paper and a lot could change for the State on the water front. Dhavalikar has also earmarked around Rs 1,000 crore to improve water infrastructure in the state even as the PWD minister keeps renewing his 24x7 water supply promise. There are new water treatment plants in the pipeline and there are plans to upgrade the existing ones.
Going ahead, the water scenario appears bright. But for any change to be effective, the ground situation needs to be thoroughly assessed first. Focus should be first on the distribution lines and replacing the old GI pipelines. Health of the common man is paramount and cannot be compromised at any cost.
