GUILHERME ALMEDIA
MARGAO
Is the drinking water supplied via the aging water distribution lines safe and fit for human consumption? And, do the decades old water distribution lines conform to safety norms to ensure the health of consumers?
These and other questions have come to haunt water consumers and may stare at PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and PWD officials as all appears not well with the old underground water distribution lines which have been awaiting replacement for years now.
Questions over the aging water distribution lines and the safety of the water supplied to the consumers came to the fore at the PWD-owned government quarters, Pajifond on Thursday when plumbers dug up an underground water line to join it to a PVC line. The underground distribution pipe was found corroded from outside, but what took the plumbers and others by surprise was that the pipeline was all corroded inside too, raising serious questions on quality of water supplied to government quarters by the PWD. One could see rust and accumulation of some particles inside the pipe, which has been supplying water to the Junta quarters residents 24x7 over the years.
Dozens of government quarters at Pajifond are dependent on the corroded line for their round-the-clock water supply and the shock revelation that the pipe was corroded inside too has left many a question unanswered.
The government quarters at Pajifond, sources said, were built decades ago shortly after the Liberation of the state, raising questions why the water distribution lines have not been replaced till date.
In fact, PWD officials in the know informed that there are many underground water distribution lines in the commercial capital and outside which were laid decades ago and are still awaiting replacement.
