Over the last few decades rampant deforestation and hugeconstruction activity in Porvorim has had an impact on its water table.
It’s obvious that construction pressure has had an impact onwater level in Porvorim. A bore well can strike water below 48 mts which can goup to 60 metres.
According to a study conducted by senior hydrogeologist, NSomasundaram with the water resources department, in 2010 the pre-monsoon watertable went down to a depth of 17.94 metre while post-monsoon it came up by 0.81metre to 17.13 metre.
Similarly in 2011 the pre-monsoon water level went down to18.67 metre while post-monsoon it came up by 1.36 metre to 17.31metre.
“Rampant construction on the plateau has affected the watertable in Porvorim. Bore wells and existing open wells can no longer be used nornew work can be undertaken due to fall in water table,” said Sushma Narvekar,former Sarpanch of Succor.
According to her, locals depend completely on PWD watersupply as there are hardly any wells left in Porvorim. “Even construction costfor a new well has gone up, as the well will have to be dug quiet dip,”Narvekar said.
Another resident, Agnelo Pereira said: “Porvorim is not anagriculture land. It is a plateau where now we have massive construction workgoing on which has led to decline in water level”.
Only way to overcome this problem is to put a waterharvesting system in place, Pereira added.
Porvorim faced water scarcity as it’s a plateau, which hasvegetation only on slopes, while the central part of plateau is covered withbushes, said senior hydrogeologist N Somasundaram.
Talking about depletion of water table N Somasundaram said:“We are monitoring the water table in Porvorim. As of now there is there is nosign of decline, but in few years it can be possible. It also depends onmonsoons as it’s the only way to recharge pits”.
Only way to preserve and enrich water table is to keep openspaces, which will recharge water table during monsoons, N Somasundaram added.
