Immediate clarifications from the Public Works Department and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) headquartered at Dona Paula on the presence of microplastics in Goa's tap water are desperate attempts to conceal an embarrassment and salvage the credibility of the government department.
A study done by a Delhi-based NGO in association with NIO found samples of tap water in Margao, Panaji, Mapusa, Marcel and Canacona with varying levels of microplastic contamination. The report stated that 288 microplastic particles were found in tap water samples that had 26 different polymer types. As a corollary, there are concerns over high microplastic presence in Goa's water bodies. Single-use plastics have been a major contributor to water contamination, and hence this study provides serious food for thought on plastic littering.
Ironically, the PWD in its rebuttal has shot down the study on various counts, one of them being the department was not engaged in the exercise. It goes on to explain how the PWD water supply conforms to IS 10500:2012 norms. It quotes the WHO and IS standards and also the CPHEEO manual while explaining that such a water check doesn't find any mention. To top it all, the PWD justifies the Goa findings against microplastics found in Delhi and across the world.
The PWD clarification is hollow and doesn’t address the larger issue of the presence of microplastics. Instead of trying to shoot down the study, the PWD should have welcomed it and initiated one of its own in the interest of the people of Goa. A study cannot be negated because no tests are being done to check microplastics. It's not a question of the inefficiency of the PWD here, rather it is their brazen attempt to run away from the issue, an issue that concerns the health of every citizen.
Interestingly, NIO Director, Mahua Saha followed up with her side of the story. A clarification stated that the findings were with the sole purpose of academic study to find scientific data. She claimed that the presence of microplastics doesn't make the water unfit for drinking. It is bizarre that the NIO on one hand reveals the presence of microplastics, but on the other, stops short of commenting on the safety aspect. May we ask the NIO director, what was the need to put a study in the public domain if it was purely an academic exercise? Are you telling us that the water is safe, or are you telling people to decide for themselves?
The clarifications from PWD and NIO indicate that both are trying to wriggle out of a tough situation instead of trying to address the issue. Whatever the purpose of the study, the people of Goa will be thankful for this crucial piece of information. In an era where health concerns are mounting, and lifestyle diseases are taking a toll on the Goan populace, consuming contaminated water could have disastrous consequences, whether PWD recognises these findings or not.
It would be prudent enough to accept the harsh reality of our water supply and work out ways to filter out contaminants. The regret is that a credible institute like NIO had to buckle under ‘water’ pressure.
