PANAJI
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI), has concluded that construction activities near the Oxel spring in Siolim do not fall within the spring’s catchment area and are unlikely to affect its groundwater.
In a report prepared by experts and scientists from the CGWB, Bengaluru, and submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa, it was stated that groundwater in the area does not flow towards the Oxel spring but rather flows away from it.
The High Court, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), had directed the CGWB’s State Unit Office in Belagavi to assign experts to conduct a hydrogeological study and inspect the site. During a previous hearing, the Bench also asked for a detailed report to assess whether the construction activity near the Oxel spring would have any adverse impact.
The report mentions that the team conducted a site visit and hydrogeological investigation from December 19-21, 2024. As part of the preliminary study, geological and hydrogeological data were collected, and groundwater sampling was carried out in and around the Oxel spring to assess any potential pollution. The team also visited the Gram Panchayat office to gather relevant data.
“...the groundwater does not flow towards the spring; rather, it flows away from the spring. Consequently, any construction activities adjacent to the Oxel spring are unlikely to affect the groundwater flow of the spring or cause contamination of the spring water, given the absence of direct groundwater inflow towards the spring from these areas. Moreover, the spring is protected by barriers or a protection wall from external contamination. The upcoming construction of the villa is in the western part of the spring and is not within the catchment area of the spring,” the report states.
The findings further noted that groundwater flow from the construction site may not directly influence the spring, as water from the upcoming villa site will flow to the wetland area lying on the northern side following the natural gradient. Therefore, it may not cause any potential impact from the construction activities.
“There is no direct groundwater inflow from the construction site to the spring, further minimising the risk of any adverse impact on the spring’s water quality. Considering the above facts, it is concluded that the construction activities near the spring are unlikely to cause any disruption to the spring flow or contamination of the spring water,” the report added.
The report has, however, said that caution needs to be exercised in the spring shed area for possible anthropogenic factors that may cause pollution or hamper the existence of the spring. It thus recommended continuous monitoring and surveillance of the spring water for quantity and quality aspects.
