PANAJI
A report of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has found three major rivers in the State to be ‘polluted’ at several places after analysing water samples at 79 locations every month in these rivers.
The report has been submitted to the State government and has found increased levels of coliform (human excreta) in these rivers.
The GSPCB report is based on analysis of water samples taken from these and other rivers at 79 locations during the year 2022-23. Samples were taken every month and as many as 895 water samples were tested in all. Some of the locations where the Mandovi river was found to be polluted include
Tonca-Marcel, Ribandar-Chorao ferry point, at the Amona bridge and in Panaji near the IFFI jetty near Marriot Hotel.
Coliform content has increased in these areas whereas in the Zuari river, the locations flagged in the report are: Panchwadi, Cortalim, Marcaim and at the Borim bridge, the report said.
The report also identifies Panzorcone, Mobor and Kharebandh as the locations where pollution has increased in the River Sal. In the Chapora river, the location near the Siolim-Chopdem bridge is where the water was found most polluted.
The Sinquerim river too was found with polluted waters at the Candolim bridge and also near the Ganesh temple, according to the report.
Samples were also tested at locations in other water bodies and the following were found polluted in the report: Raia lake (Raitale), Saipem lake, Curtorim lake, Bhati, Sheldem, and Ambulor lake.
