THE GOAN | NETWORK
VALPOI
Concerns over the safety of Sattari’s drinking water supply have resurfaced after three separate incidents of worm-like organisms being found in tap water over the past two months.
The repeated occurrences have triggered fear and anger among residents, with questions being raised over the maintenance and monitoring of the Public Works Department’s water distribution network.
Nearly 60 per cent of Sattari taluka receives drinking water from the Dabos Water Treatment Plant through an extensive pipeline network. However, the recent incidents have cast a shadow over the safety and upkeep of the system.
The first case was reported about six weeks ago in Valpoi municipality, where a worm-like organism was allegedly found in water collected from a household tap. Water Supply Department officials inspected the site and flushed the affected pipeline, suspecting the organism had entered from an external source.
Around 10 days ago, a second incident was reported in Zarme village. Officials believed the organism may have entered the pipeline during repair and replacement work on a section of the water line. The affected stretch was subsequently cleaned and flushed.
Despite these corrective measures, a third incident surfaced two days ago from a residence near the Valpoi Municipal administrative building, once again putting the water supply department under scrutiny.
Significantly, all three cases were reported from different locations, fuelling concerns that the problem may not be confined to a single area.
Residents and observers say the repeated incidents point to deeper issues within the water supply system, including possible pipeline leakages, ageing infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, lapses during repair works, reservoir hygiene concerns, and insufficient water-quality monitoring.
Residents have also called for an urgent meeting of officials and urged the Valpoi Water Supply Division and the Bicholim divisional office to closely monitor the situation and ensure a safe and reliable drinking water supply across Sattari taluka.
