Colva beach toilet block under scanner again for sewage discharge in creek

GSPCB issues notice to GTDC, seeks explanation on why operations should not be suspended

MARGAO
Even as Colva witnessed uproar on Wednesday over the contaminated Colva creek waters, the toilet block installed at the children’s play area at the world famous beach is again under the lens of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) over the discharge of raw sewage in the creek in the month of December.

For, GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro has issued a notice directing the Executive Engineer, Project Cell, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to show cause within seven days why the operation of the unit should not be closed/ suspended.

Reason: Inspection of the Colva creek on December 20 and testing of the water samples at the creek upstream and downstream water sample of the creek and mouth of the creek has revealed that the Fecal Coliform & BOD are higher than that at the upstream and downstream of the creek.

The GSPCB Member Secretary was categorical in pointing out that the observations indicate that the samples of water collected from the mouth of the Colva creek is comparatively found to be having higher values of BOD & Fecal Coliform which is an indication of sewage discharge into the creek from the establishment.

Invoking powers vested with the Board and as delegated under Section 33(A) read with Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the GSPCB Member Secretary directed the management of The Executive Engineer, Project Cell, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), to show cause within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice as to why the operation of the toilet block should not be directed to be closed/ suspended.

The notice has warned that failure to satisfactorily reply to the present notice will compel the Board to initiate stringent legal action against the Project Cell, GTDC, including issue of directions for closure of the unit, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, without any further notice.

GSPCB action based on Dec 20, 2024 site inspection

- During the joint inspection, the inspection team found no discharge in the creek at the time of inspection. The report, however, stated the brown sediment accumulated at the mouth of the creek was observed

- The officials also collected the upstream water sample of the creek, downstream water sample of the creek and mouth of the creek for the Board analysis reports reveal that the Fecal Coliform & BOD are higher than that at the upstream and downstream of the creek

- The site inspection of the public toilet was carried out, located adjacent to the creek. At the time of inspection, it was observed that the STP of Capacity 40KLD of the public toilet block was not in operation and was under maintenance

- No log books/ records regarding the intake waste water and treated water were produced at the time of inspection

- The GTDC has obtained the CTO of the Board vide order no-12/2022-PCB/1299350/00009880 date: 06/10/2022 which is valid till 16/05/2032, (Inspection Report dated 20/12/2024 enclosed)

GTDC again directed to ensure STP operational on regular basis

MARGAO: This isn’t the first time that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued show cause notice and directions to the Project Cell, GTDC to ensure the sewage treatment plant of the toilet block is maintained operational on regular basis.

In March, 2024, the GSPCB had issued directions to GTDC to ensure that the STP is operational on regular basis at all times of operation of the toilet facility. The GTDC, Project Cell was further directed to confirm that the treated effluents are within the permissible limits and ensure that no raw sewage is released in the surrounding areas.

PCB should get commercial units connected to Colva STP: Activist

MARGAO: Goa State Pollution Control Board’s directions to the Project Cell, Goa Tourism Development Corporation is seen as an attempt to ensure that the toilet block at the beach does not discharge sewage and waste water in the Colva creek.

What about the dozens of commercial establishments dotting along the beach area? Are these establishments connected to the Colva sewage treatment plant?

Well, Colva-based social activist Judith Almeida, who had been waging over a decade long battle in the High Court, to free the Colva creek from sewage and waste water contamination, said what is required is a holistic approach to evolve a permanent solution to the issue of creek contamination.

“This is the second time that the GSPCB has issued the directions and show cause notice to the Project Cell, GTDC over the sewage discharge. This is just a tip of the problem. The GSPCB should address the bigger issue plaguing the Colva creek,” she said.

Judith said the GSPCB should get all the commercial establishments to connect their premises to the Colva sewage treatment plant since the STP is now officially commissioned. “Let the authorities first get the commercial establishments, including hotels, restaurants, eateries, tea stalls, etc to the Colva STP. Once this is done, the authorities then can get the households connect their premises to the STP. Sadly, this is not being enforced by the authorities for reasons best known to them,” she lamented.

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